Barclays bank to cut 1,700 jobs in Britain

Barclays bank plans to cut 1,700 jobs as it reduces the number of local branches in Britain, a spokesman said Thursday. The spokesman confirmed a claim from the union Unite, saying the way customers accessed their money "is changing rapidly" and fewer branches were required.
Unite said the Barclays had informed its workforce that it will be cutting 1,700 jobs, including cashiers, personal bankers, operational specialists, branch managers and assistant managers next year. A Barclays spokesman said: "As a result of technological changes, we will be able to provide better service for our customers with fewer staff in our branches.