The company proposes to remove the link between employees’ accrued pension and future increases in salary.

This change, which affects approximately 1,400 staff, would reduce the funding deficit by £28m down to £265m.

Atkins said it also aims to pay up to £32m each year over the next 10 years to eliminate the funding deficit.

This latest package of measures to address the pension deficit follows several previous steps to reduce future pension liabilities, including closing the plan to new entrants in 2001 and stopping future accrual for the majority of existing members in 2007.

The multi-disciplinary consultant also said today it had acquired Pöyry, a 130 people-strong oil and gas consultancy business for £15.4m.

Atkins will now integrate Poyry’s teams in Aberdeen, Stavanger, Norway and Australia with existing operations in the UK, Europe, Middle East and North America.