TALKS have begun about changes which could see around 88 Bradford job cuts at a leading telecommunications and broadband operator.

Staff at Virgin Media, which employs more than 400 people in the city, have been told about proposed operational changes and the company has started a 45-day consultation.

Those affected work at the company's offices at Broad Lane, Dudley Hill, providing back-office support in areas such as balance sheet reporting and employee services.

Virgin Media said that the bulk of any staff reductions would hopefully be achieved through voluntary redundancies and not replacing leavers.

If the proposed restructure goes ahead, some new jobs would be created for data integrity analysts, finance managers and others. Virgin said the exact numbers were still to be finalised.

A Virgin Media spokesman said: “We are talking with our staff about some proposed changes to the way we work, including the potential outsourcing of some back-office roles in Bradford.

"We are also creating new jobs in the city and, if the proposals go ahead, we will do everything we can to help anyone affected find a new role, either within Virgin Media or elsewhere.”

The consultations would also include discussions about relocation opportunities or redeployment within the group.