Marks and Spencer confirmed it plans to cut 525 head office jobs as it attempts to make £30 million savings. Workers on the shop floor will not be affected.

Steve Rowe, Marks and Spencer chief executive said: “M&S has to become a simpler and more effective organisation if we are to deliver our plans to recover and grow our business.

“It is never easy to propose changes that impact on our people, but I believe that the proposals outlined today are absolutely necessary and will help us build a different type of M&S – one that can take bolder, pacier decisions, be more profitable and ultimately better serve our customers.”

“We remain committed to investing in store staffing and improving our customer experience and therefore our store colleagues are not affected by this proposal.”

The job losses come as the troubled retailer bids to revive its fortunes after a series of disappointing results. Declining clothes and homeware sales have been a particular concern, offset to some extent by strong food revenues.