Exeter unemployment figures set to rise as Diligenta plans exit from Winslade Park

Staff at Diligenta's in Clyst St Mary, Exeter, have been told today that the financial services company is set to pull out of Winslade Park and another site in Salisbury by February 2015, affecting 470 employees over both sites and 340 staff in Exeter alone. The first potential redundancies could take effect from as early as February 2014. 

Diligenta is a UK business process outsourcing provider for the Life and Pensions industry, which last year commenced a 15-year contract with Friends Life. However, a Friends Life spokesman said: “Friends Life can confirm that the recent announcement does not impact the number of colleagues we employ in each area."

Diligenta has said that where possible, it will be consolidating work into its Bristol and Dorking sites. A spokesperson also said that "We have a strong record of supporting employees who leave our business as a result of redundancy with outplacement support activities and working with local companies, authorities and communities to ensure employees are equipped for the future."

Unite regional officer Chris Gray said: “We are shocked and disappointed by the scale of the proposed job losses – and angry that up to 15 per cent of this work is being offshored to India.

“Unemployment is high in Exeter and Salisbury and we believe these job losses will have a major detrimental impact on the local economies and communities."

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, said: "This will be a worrying time for the loyal and hard-working staff at Winslade Park. I’m sorry the company has decided to concentrate this work elsewhere.”