Union leaders have condemned news of almost 1,000 job losses at a leading computer firm, warning it undermines the Government's view that private firms will lead the UK out of recession.
Unite warned the 934 job losses at US giant Hewlett Packard (HP) could be followed by a further 1,000 cuts next year.
The union said the announcement showed that the jobs designed to replace those lost in manufacturing were now being lost or off-shored.
National officer Peter Skyte said: "This is a further cull by HP of its skilled and experienced UK workforce, and follows nearly 4,000 jobs being cut over the past two years since the takeover of EDS by HP.
"This will create further insecurity and uncertainty in HP with the threat of yet more redundancies to come, and undermines the coalition Government view that the private sector will fuel job growth out of the economic recession."
Unite warned the company that by cutting workplace levels "to the bone", remaining workers would be in danger of developing stress-related illnesses.
Mr Skyte added: "There are also serious implications for those who remain in their jobs and carry on service to customers and clients.
"Skeleton levels of staff will lead to stressed-out workers who struggle to complete an ever increasing workload.
"The fact that the company still retains nearly 2,000 temporary staff and contractors merely adds insult to injury."
Unite said sites expected to be hit by the job losses included Bracknell, Bristol, Hook, Erskine, Milton Keynes, London and Warrington.
