Experian UK has cut 200 jobs in its software development sector, outsourcing the work to Perot Systems in Bangalore, India.

The redundancies are part of a $80 million cost-saving exercise worldwide.

An additional 40 people remain as the interface for operations between UK and India.

Experian said it was not a downsizing, only a re-engineering of its set up, which will create more flexibility.

Peter Brooker, Experian public affairs director, said: “The only difference this will make to the automotive industry is more new and better products coming to the market in a quicker timeframe.”

The company has recently put its American price-comparison website Pricegrabber up for sale, less than three years after if paid almost $500m for the online firm.