The financial services sector has been hit with another jobs blow after Lloyds confirmed it is to axe 2,100 staff.
The Unite union said it was "astonished" at the latest losses, which will affect offices across the country.
The cull brings the total of job cuts announced by the group since January to over 7,000.
Unite said "real questions" now had to be asked about how far the bank can be allowed to go in its "systematic" slashing of staff.
Lloyds said the changes followed "careful and detailed reviews" of the group operations and wholesale divisions, which will bring together a number of functions across Lloyds TSB and HBOS areas.
Operational functions including payment and business services and banking are combining, while the wholesale division is bringing together its Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland businesses in England and Wales.
Up to 2,100 jobs will be affected over the next three years, although Lloyds said 350 new roles will be created in its wholesale division.
The bank said it expected 700 of the job cuts to be achieved through natural attrition and the release of contract and agency staff.
It also announced that it would not be moving any permanent operational roles offshore, keeping jobs in the UK wherever possible.
Mark Fisher, the bank's group operations director, said: "By bringing the businesses together, we will be better placed for the future.
"Regrettably, however, some of our colleagues will be affected by our plans."
Commenting on the job losses, Unite national officer Rob MacGregor said: "Morale is now truly low as employees across Lloyds are in a permanent state of anxiety as they see their employer announce hundreds of job losses every week."
Send Article by Email
Send Article by IM
Blog This with Y! 360
Printable View
