The UK's Co-operative Financial Services is cutting a further 170 jobs at its insurance services arm under plans to modernise the business and shift work to direct channels.
Under the plans the Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) is closing seven claims offices around the UIK leading to the loss of 170 jobs. A further 350 back office jobs will be lost at CIS's Manchester headquarters but the firm insists that a similar numer of roles would be created at its new customer contact centre.
Financial services union Amicus described the job losses as "a real blow". Ian Waddell, regional office, Amicus, says: "Our members have worked hard for the company despite years of under-investment in technology and training."
But Amicus says CIS has "resisted the siren calls of the offshoring" and welcomed the company's commitment to retaining jobs in the UK.