Arup, one of the world's largest multi-disciplinary design firms is to cut 400 UK jobs. The cuts mean the firm, established in London in 1946 and now operating in 82 offices worldwide, will be cutting 4% of its global staff. A statement released internally on Friday cited the 'turbulent times in the global economy' as the cause adding: "Arup - as with any responsible business - needs to ensure its long-term business health. It is essential that we match our resources to our anticipated workload, and it is with regret that we have decided to implement a programme of up to 400 staff redundancies across the UK in the first quarter of 2009." In accordance with the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 2006 legislation, Arup is now embarking on a 90 day consultation period where it will be established where the cuts must be made. A spokesperson for Arup told WAN that "Where staff can be redeployed, they will."