CITY employer Bupa Global has confirmed 170 staff have been made redundant.

The health insurance giant is reorganising operations and expanding in international locations such as Hong Kong and Dubai.

Affected staff in Brighton said they felt they had been “cast aside like rubbish”.

One claimed job uncertainty had left workers suffering mental health problems while customers would be left with a “truly awful service”. In October The Argus exclusively reported around 120 jobs were feared to be at risk at the company, formerly known as Bupa International.

The international health insurance giant employs more than 750 people in Brighton at Russell House in Russell Mews and at Victory House in Trafalgar Place.

After a 45-day consultation period the company confirmed 170 of those staff are to be made redundant.

A member of staff, who asked not to be identified said: “I have worked for this company for 17 years and this is nothing more than a money making mission.

“Bupa made millions in profit last year and yet when the redundancy packages were worked out, mine being £16,000 after 17 years of blood, sweat and tears helping build this company up to what it is today, we were told they were unable to pay us more as there isn’t enough money.”

She said uncertainty over jobs had caused massive stress to staff over the past two years, adding: “This has led to many mental health issues for staff.

“People that have given their whole working careers to Bupa are just being cast aside like rubbish.”

A spokesman said: “We are reorganising our operations and while we have been able to find new roles for many affected people unfortunately 170 people have been made redundant.

“We would like to thank our people for their cooperation and understanding during this difficult period and we are committed to supporting everyone who has been affected.”