NORTHERN Rock has today confirmed its plans to reduce staff levels by 2,000 by the end of 2011.

However it confirmed the majority of job losses are likely to take place this year.

Northern Rock announced that it had submitted an HR1 Form, compulsary where more than 20 job losses are involved, to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform today. The HR1 Form confirms details of the proposed reduction in staff numbers, as previously announced by the Company in its provisional business plan published on March 31.

A copy of the HR1 form has also been submitted to Unite the union and other employee representatives.

A spokesman said: "The Company will now commence the formal 90-day consultation period with Unite and other employee representatives, with the inaugural meetings planned for May 1.

"The likely start date for any potential job losses has not been set but will be agreed, with Unite and other employee representatives, during the course of the consultation period."