Marks & Spencer to cut 15% of head office jobs amid pay row

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to cut 500 head office jobs.

The retailer will reduce 15% of the roles at their head office in Paddington, London - with more than half of the cuts affecting contractors - in an attempt to halt a protracted slump in sales – Sky News reports.

M&S’ announcement may further deepen tensions among staff following a public row over pay. Their Chief Executive, Steve Rowe, has overhauled the pay and pension scheme, and cut premium pay for Sundays and bank holidays in an attempt to improve M&S’ finances.

However, the company said that it had completed a consultation and was offering a multi-year pay guarantee that would make staff "amongst the highest paid in UK retail and [the recipients of] one of the best benefits packages."