BOSSES at publisher Oxford University Press have confirmed they have made 21 people at the company redundant.

The firm based in Walton Street, Jericho, warned it was carrying out a redundancy programme in March after a “comprehensive review” of the English Language Teaching (ELT) department.

The department is undergoing its biggest reorganisation since the 1990s as the business tackles the effects of recession in key European markets such as Spain, along with advances in digital publishing.

Spokeswoman Rachel Goode said: “A period of consultation took place, with 88 employees working in the ELT Division being put at risk of redundancy. As a result of that process 67 people were retained as OUP employees, the majority within the new ELT publishing structure. The total number of redundancies was 21.”

The news came as OUP unveiled a small boost in its fortunes. The company, part of Oxford University, unveiled a pre-tax profit of £116.2m for the year to March 31, compared to £114.5m the previous term and its annual turnover grew from £723.3m to £759.2m.

The company reported growth in demand for ELT services in Asia, South America, and the Middle East.