Lobby group CBI to cut more jobs

The Confederation of British Industry is to further reduce its workforce, it was reported on Tuesday, as it continues to recover from last year’s sexual misconduct scandal.

According to Sky News, the business lobbying group is consulting with around 7% of staff about making their roles redundant. The CBI currently employs around 150 people.

It is not known what roles are affected.

In a statement, the CBI told Sky: "We are making a small reduction to our headcount as part of efforts to manage our cost base, to ensure we are in the best shape possible to deliver our strategic and financial objectives.

"This is never an easy decision for an organisation to take.

"Businesses are returning to the CBI as well as new members joining for the first time.

"We are confidently back doing what we do best: serving as the catalyst between industry and government to drive the sustainable growth across the economy."

The CBI was the UK’s leading business lobby group until it was engulfed in a series of sexual scandals last year, including multiple allegations from female employees.

In response, the government temporarily suspended its dealings with the CBI and a wave of high profile members quit, including Aviva, BP and Tesco.

Former chief economist Rain Newton-Smith was appointed director general, with a remit to overhaul the organisation’s culture, while City veteran Sir Rupert Soames was named chair.

But the fall in membership numbers has dented its income, prompting it to cut headcount and close most of its overseas offices.