Lloyds to close a further 49 UK branches

Lloyds Banking Group is preparing to close another 49 branches in the UK, according to union group Unite.

The bank announced last year that it would be closing 400 branches, with job losses totalling 9,000, in order to make adaptations to new digital banking.

Staff at the branches were informed of the closures on Wednesday, with 99 jobs to be lost as a result.

Unite said the branch closures and job losses were undermining its vision for growth, and leaves more communities without access to personal banking services.

“Lloyds Banking Group needs to halt this unnecessary bank branch closure program. Local communities are making it clear that the closure of their local branch excludes customers who cannot use digital means to conduct their financial transactions,” said national officer Rob MacGregor.

MacGregor urged Lloyds to reconsider the closures, and pressed the bank for a guarantee that there would be no compulsory redundancies as a result.

“Having returned to profitability LBG needs to stop ignoring its corporate social responsibilities. Just over six months ago the bank announced the closure of 100 branches and today another 49 branches. The news today will not be welcomed by staff or the customers left with no access to local banking.”