Stewart Milne could axe 20% of staff

Aberdeen-based housebuilder Stewart Milne Group could axe up 20% of its staff - a total of almost 300 jobs.

The company has blamed "deteriorating market conditions" for the move.

The cuts are to be made throughout the group with 120 staff expected to lose their jobs in north east Scotland, 73 in the central belt, and 96 in England.

The firm employs nearly 1,000 people in north east Scotland, 178 in the central belt and 280 in England.

A consultation on the possible redundancies has now begun, with numbers expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Chief executive Stewart Milne said: "No-one in our sector is immune from the downturn.

"The lack of liquidity and lower consumer confidence has resulted in a decline in sales and despite our efforts to overcome these challenges, the ongoing market conditions have impacted on us."