Details of the deal came to light shortly after Ordnance Survey announced plans to shed up to 300 jobs at the government agency’s Southampton base.

The cuts, which equate to one in six of OS’ national workforce or one in five of the staff based at its Southampton headquarters, are to be implemented over the next 12 months.

Management have attributed the losses to the introduction of new technology and improved processes at Britain’s national mapping agency resulting in a need to reduce staff numbers.

Prospect negotiator Emily Boase, said: “We are looking for assurances that the contract allowing Danish company Kampsax to produce an updated map of the UK and plans to restructure the workforce are not related.”

Union representatives will be meeting with Ordnance Survey management on Tuesday, November 5. Prospect represents over 1,200 cartographic and specialist staff at national mapping agency.