Telecoms giant BT provided a £740m boost to the Welsh economy in its last financial year, while supporting nearly 8,500 jobs.
The impact, both direct, indirect and induced, is highlighted in a new report from consultancy firm Hatch which analysed the spending of employees and suppliers of BT Group – which includes EE, BT, Plusnet and Openreach.
The group, which directly employs 5,000 people in Wales, made a direct contribution to the Welsh economy estimated at £490m in 2021/22. Through the company’s employees and its supply chain, and their resulting spending, Hatch estimates a total economic impact totalling £740m.
The company’s spending with suppliers based in Wales came to a total of £110m. BT Group’s combined activities supported a knock-on total of 8,490 jobs across Wales.
The report highlights its presence across Wales and its current major investment in the rollout of full-fibre broadband and 5G across the country
BT Group is also transforming its offices and contact centres across the UK. The company is due to open a brand-new office and regional hub at No 3 Capital Quarter office building in Cardiff later this year.
The company’s contact centre in Bangor has received a major refurbishment as part of the programme and the EE Merthyr Tydfil centre will undergo a similar refurbishment in the coming year.
It is part of the company’s Better Workplace Programme, one of the largest workplace improvement schemes of its type ever undertaken in the UK. The five-year programme will see the company shift from having around 300 locations in the UK to around 30, with a focus on creating new, modern workspaces.
Philip Jansen, chief executive of BT Group, said: “BT Group plays a vital role at the heart of the Welsh economy. We’re one of only a handful of companies that serves customers in every corner of the country.
“We’ve continued our major investment in building next-generation full- fibre and mobile connectivity rapidly across the UK. We’ve already reached 9.6 million premises with full fibre, and our 5G mobile network now reaches 60% of the UK population. The benefits to families and businesses are huge.”
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