COI to Cut 287 Jobs

The UK's Central Office of Information (COI) has announced a reduction in staff numbers from 737 to 450, as a result of the government's freeze on non-essential advertising and marketing spend, and the consequent reduction in its workload.

The restructuring represents a forty per cent cut in headcount for the agency, which is constituted as a Trading Fund, without its own budget and working for numerous government departments and public sector bodies. In 2009/10, their combined spend through COI was £531m, but turnover in the first six months of 2010 is estimated to be down 52% versus the year earlier period, a reduction the coalition government has warned will continue into the future.

The COI will start with voluntary redundancies but says that 'if this does not produce the necessary numbers there will be redundancies on a compulsory basis'. A formal 90-day consultation begins today and ends on 1st November.

COI Chief Executive Mark Lund says the body 'has always adapted to meet the requirements of government and the changing media landscape'. He adds: 'A leaner COI is in line with new government priorities. Our future will be grounded in continuing to deliver excellent communications to achieve government aims, in the most cost efficient and effective way possible.'

The COI was established on 1st April 1946 as a follow-on from the wartime Ministry of Information. Its online home is at www.coi.gov.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.