Call centre jobs to go

The Communication Workers Union said the move by Santander to close the Alliance & Leicester contact centre in Ashford, Kent, was a bitter blow to the staff, who were among the firm's best-performing employees.

National officer Nigel Cotgrove said yesterday: "This news is all the more disappointing given the impressive profits achieved by Santander."

The union was unable to convince Santander to change its decision and was now focusing on redeployment or relocation to other jobs in Santander.

The centre, which deals with Alliance & Leicester customer current accounts and savings is due to close at the end of June, with work switching to Santander sites in Bootle and Leicester.