1,800 lose jobs in further cuts at Rok

A further 1,800 redundancies at the building services company Rok were announced by administrators yesterday, bringing the total job losses to about 2,600.

The cuts come from the closure of the company's maintenance and improvements division in the UK and Rok's construction business in Scotland, both of which suffered job cuts last week. Other redundancies have come from its plumbing, heating and electrical (PHE) division.

Rok, which calls itself "the nation's local builder", appointed PwC as administrator last week after it fell into financial difficulties. Only 650 staff remain.

Rok was hit hard during the financial crisis, losing several private and public sector clients. The extreme weather also hit Rok last winter and prospects worsened in April when it gave warning of "under-performing" contracts at its PHE division.