Legal and General set to cut 560 jobs

Legal and general have announced that 560 UK jobs are to go at the financial giant.

Unite has been told that the effected areas are likely to be Brighton and Surrey and will largely effect business processing units, although the union will oppose any mandatory job cuts.  Unite is encouraging the business to seek alternatives to any job losses.

Unite National officer Rob MacGregor said: "The decision by Legal & General to make up to 560 workers redundant is extremely disturbing in any circumstance. This distress will be compounded within the current economic climate.

"Unite has challenged Legal & General on the impact that this significant staff reduction will have on their plans for recovery following the current downturn.

"The union is calling on the financial services sector to ensure that they do not simply take short-term decisions to cut staff, without consideration for future levels of service and their ability to recover from the recession."

A Legal & General spokesman said: "L&G has entered into consultation with collective representatives over potential redundancies within its UK business.

"L&G will keep any potential redundancies to a minimum and will try to find suitable alternative employment for staff affected.

"Potential redundancies are being driven by changing business demand, operational efficiencies, and the continued refocusing of the savings business towards modern, flexible, capital-lite products.