200 Aviva jobs to go in cost cutting drive

A MOTOR claims office in Manchester operated by insurance giant Aviva is to close in December with 200 jobs losses, it has emerged.

The group is off-shoring the positions to India as part of a major cost cutting drive announced in April, the local implications of which are just becoming public. Nationwide the insurer is cutting 2,000 posts in a move to save £400m.

Employees based at the office on Albert Square were informed of the closure this week. Unions said the move was a “bitter blow” for Aviva’s staff.

Aviva said in a statement: “In April we announced plans for a reduction of approximately 2,000 roles across the global group. This process will be on-going throughout the rest of 2013.

“Our claims teams have been briefed on changes affecting them. We do not take these decisions lightly and we appreciate this will be a tough time for those people affected by today’s announcement. We will do all we can to support them through this process.”