From experience, when mass redundancies are first announced, the end figure has always been less than the required headcount reduction stated at the onset of the procedure.
In effect, this is to give a sympathetic impression of the employer (maybe not ideal terminology considering the context of the topic) and it also allows the union(s) to proclaim that they have done their bit in reducing the amount of redundancies when in reality, the employer has reduced their workforce by the desired amount anyway!
What does seem strange with the VS redundancy situation is that there seems very little media attention - certainly up here in the wilds of Durham, whereas, had it been BA, any employee/employment issues are covered ad nauseam.
Again, from experience, such a situation in a working environment can be distressing, but what really really was the worst experience was the backstabbing and 'tittle tattle' that was going on as everyone was jockeying for position in an attempt to retain their jobs - this made everone suspicious of their colleagues and made for a depressing day 'at the office'.
Good luck to all involved anyway.