# Why is the UK at the forefront of AI-driven job cuts?

https://mins.news/en/item/113349

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-23 20:43 UTC
- Economy
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2026/10/23/why-is-the-uk-at-the-forefront-of-ai-driven-job-cuts?traffic_source=rss

> AI-linked job losses in the UK are occurring at twice the rate seen in the US and Germany. Barclays plans to cut 5,000 jobs by the end of 2026 as it uses AI to reduce costs. Its chief executive called AI the “icing on the cake,” while unions accuse the bank of using it as a pretext for workforce reductions. The shift is raising questions about effects on workers and whether the UK is prepared.

## Related coverage

- [Barclays shifts spending toward AI while cutting its workforce](https://mins.news/en/item/113296) — The Associated Press, 2026-10-23
- [Why is the UK at the forefront of AI-driven job cuts?](https://mins.news/en/video/113168) — Al Jazeera English, 2026-10-23
- [Barclays plans to cut 5,000 jobs in AI efficiency drive](https://mins.news/en/item/110705) — CNBC, 2026-10-22