Barclays site closure to result in at least 200 job losses

Barclays has confirmed it will close its Millshaw processing centre in Leeds,  resulting in a loss of about 200 jobs, with hundreds of other roles to be relocated.

The statement has drawn a strong response from the trade union Unite, which says it effectively amounts to nearly 800 jobs lost in Leeds.

Barclays had said: “As announced last year the landlord has put the Millshaw site up for sale with planning permission for residential development. As we are required to vacate the premises at the end of the current lease, we have reviewed all options and made the decision to exit at the end of this year.

“Today’s announcement impacts colleagues at the Millshaw site and is part of a UK wide announcement which focuses on bringing teams together at our key campus sites across the UK.

“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.”

The business adds the changes will mean 200 fewer jobs, with a further 270 jobs relocating to Manchester and Sunderland. A further 100, will relocate within Leeds.

But Unite, the recognised trade union in Barclays, says it understands nearly 800 jobs will be lost in Leeds, while the business will cut another 345 jobs across the country.

Its own statement says: “Unite has for a long period been urging the bank to redeploy staff to an alternative office in Leeds when the current lease ends in 2021, rather than lose hundreds of committed and experienced staff.

“In a further blow Barclays has also announced today a further 345 staff cuts across the country including 157 jobs cut in Coventry. The Barclays Coventry workforce has already faced a large number of job losses in recent years.”

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

“Unite is from today supporting our members across the country as they absorb the news that Barclays is closing their site in Leeds and making major job cuts in Coventry as well as many other key workplaces.

“This is clearly a time of immense uncertainty and worry for the workforce. The union is working with Barclays to put into place every possible remedy to support the staff in finding suitable alternative employment and offering advice and support to assist colleagues, including redeployment wherever possible.”