Cruise firm Carnival UK has confirmed plans to make a large number of redundancies in Southampton.

According to the BBC, the Southampton-based cruise company – which is the parent of cruise lines P&O Cruises and Cunard – could cut as many as 450 jobs as it struggles to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, the company announced that it would be extending its suspension of sailings until 31 July due to the pandemic.

A Carnival UK spokesman said: “We have begun a period of consultation with our staff in Southampton across all levels of the business.

“Our priority is to treat everyone with fairness and respect and to have open and honest conversations. These changes, whilst very difficult, are to ensure the future sustainability of our business.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has not only affected the holidays of our guests but it has also impacted every part of our business; our future deployment; the guest experience; our supply chain and our people on ship and on shore.

“During our pause in operations, we have tried to create as much certainty and stability as possible for our staff in Southampton and crew on board our ships.

“Unfortunately though and like many businesses, as Covid-19 has continued to impact our way of life it is necessary to make changes to our organisation to build a stable platform for the time we phase our ships back into service and for future growth.”

Visit carnival.co.uk for more information.