Barclays cuts jobs as overhaul affects 1,000 employees across UK

Leeds office to close down with many staff told they can keep their jobs – if they move to Sunderland or Manchester

Of 800 staff at Barclays’ Millshaw Court offices in Leeds, 200 will be made redundant and a further 90 contractor positions will go (Reuters)

Barclays is to cut 250 jobs across a number of UK sites and shut down a large office in Leeds as part of an overhaul that will affect around 1,000 staff.

The changes will see jobs move to Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland and a new flagship site in Glasgow.

All staff whose jobs are moving have been given the chance to keep their positions, and financial support to help them relocate, Barclays said.

The bank announced last year that its Leeds site would close down after the landlord decided to redevelop it but union bosses criticised the lender on Wednesday for failing to move jobs locally.

“The sheer scale of the job cuts announced today by Barclays is alarming,” said Dominic Hook, Unite union national officer.

“The decision to close the major Barclays site in Leeds will be devastating for the workforce and the local community.

“Unite has argued for some time that the bank has a social responsibility not to walk away from its committed workforce in Leeds. Today is indeed a dark day for nearly 800 people who have worked relentlessly to deliver the highest customer service for Barclays customers.

Of 800 staff at Barclays’ Millshaw Court offices in Leeds, 200 will be made redundant and a further 90 contractor positions will go. Around 100 staff have been given the option to move to other sites in Leeds or work from home. Of the remaining jobs, 270 will relocate to Manchester and Sunderland.

The announcement comes after HSBC revealed plans to cut 35,000 jobs globally including “meaningful” cuts in the UK. Lloyds and Direct Line also announced they would shed hundreds of staff this year.

A further 345 employees at 20 locations across the country have been put on notice that their jobs a will be cut or relocated. Around 50 of these will be cut with the remainder moved to other sites including Glasgow and Northampton.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “In order to drive collaboration, Barclays is moving teams closer together at our UK sites in Glasgow, Greater Manchester and Northampton; where we are investing in new campuses and office space.

“This will enable us to innovate at pace for the customers and clients we serve. We will do everything we can to support colleagues impacted by the changes announced today, working closely with Unite.”