Unite, the largest union in the country, is to hold urgent talks with Hewlett-Packard to safeguard up to 1,600 jobs under threat at its UK operations.

Hewlett-Packard, the world's largest maker of personal computers, is to cut 27,000 jobs across the globe by the end of 2014.

Unite believes that up to eight per cent of the UK’s workforce of 20,000 are under threat – and Unite will be working with the PCS union to use every means possible to protect those jobs.

Unite’s national officer for IT and communications, Kevin O’Gallagher said: “This is a devastating blow to the technology industry in the UK – a sector we need to develop to create future jobs and growth.

“We will be working with the PCS union to use every means possible to protect these vital and high-skilled jobs. We hope to arrange meetings with the senior management, both in the UK and with the global business leaders, as soon as possible to set out our alternatives.

“Hewlett-Packard is still a highly profitable company which is, we believe, simply aiming to cut costs to increase both its market share and profits, while showing scant regard to its loyal and dedicated workforce.”