The Government has been urged to hold an inquiry into the loss of call centre jobs after warnings a growing number of firms were transferring work abroad.

Trade union Amicus said yesterday the loss of jobs in the service sector could be a "catastrophe" for areas of the country which relied on call centres for employment.

The union published an opinion poll it said showed consumers were prepared to "punish" firms which outsourced jobs to other countries, such as India.

Most of the 1,500 people surveyed said they would take into account where a company employed its staff when making purchasing decisions.

Most of those questioned also expressed strong concerns over the security of information held by companies with operations overseas.

Roger Lyons, joint general secretary of Amicus, said: "Companies are beginning to jump on the bandwagon. We are opposed to jobs leaving Britain and it is time for the Government to order an inquiry into an issue that is clearly a cause of great concern to the electorate."

Mr Lyons, speaking on the eve of the TUC congress in Brighton, when the loss of jobs overseas will be a central issue, said the Government should be investigating union concerns about the loss of jobs in this country and on its effect on training and other issues.

Any job which did not involve personal contact could be switched to other countries because of the "extraordinary" cost savings which could be made.

Monday September 8, 2003