Unite criticises Lloyds's decision to go ahead and cut 56 branches

Unite has criticised Lloyds Banking Group's decision to close several dozen branches across Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, labelling the decision "unjustified", "damaging" and "devastating".

According to Unite national officer, Rob MacGregor, the decision to cut 56 branches, which will also impact 160 jobs, will not only cut "a vital service from communities but also force customers to travel further to stand in larger crowds of customers queuing outside busier branches."

The closures, which were originally scheduled to take place between April to October, will be now be conducted starting from March 2021.

As of 1145 GMT, shares of Lloyds were off by 0.01% to 35.59p.