ICI to cut 150 more jobs as profits dip

ICI is planning to cut a further 150 staff as it reports flat profits and lower sales for the last year.

ICI is planning to cut a further 150 staff as it reports flat profits and lower sales for the last year.

The group is reporting full-year pre-tax profits of £400 million - before one-off costs - compared to £401 million the previous year, and sales fell 5 per cent to £6.13 billion.

"Overall, our performance for the year was satisfactory, given the persistence of difficult conditions in many of our markets," Chief executive Mr Brendan O'Neill said.

"With our strengthened balance sheet and continuing actions to improve our market positions and cost and capital effectiveness, ICI faces the uncertain economic outlook with increased confidence," he added.

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The figures come after a year in which ICI has restructured itself, by slashing debts, cutting costs and laying off staff.

This time last year, the group made an £808 million cash call in the City to cut its debt, and it sold non-core businesses such as its catalyst divisions Synetix for £260 million.

Debts have now been cut to £1.67 billion, down £1.25 billion from this time last year.