Around 200 jobs are being axed by Barclays in Leeds

The Yorkshire Post understands that a further 270 jobs are relocating to Manchester and Sunderland and a further 100 will relocate to other sites in Leeds.

A Barclays spokesperson 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.”

Unite, the recognised trade union in Barclays, disputed these figures, claiming that nearly 800 jobs will be lost.

Dominic Hook, Unite national officer said: “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.”

“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.”