More jobs shipped from Sussex to India

8:17pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

Comments (17)   Have your say »

Banking giant Lloyds TSB has come under attack after announcing plans to offshore 250 jobs of full time-technology staff to India.

Today's decision is expected to affect dozens of people working in the bank's offices in Haywards Heath and Brighton.

Unite called the move "unjustified" and said it would also affect 195 contractors and temporary staff.

Lloyds TSB said: "Information technology is the backbone of our business and by combining the diverse skills of our staff, with those of other companies we can provide the best possible service to our customers.

"We've announced that we will offshore up to 250 permanent IT roles, but we want to keep these staff so we're guaranteeing them the offer of another job with the group."

Unite official John Bancroft said he was disappointed with the news, adding: "We do not believe that the business case for this decision has been made and we are challenging the bank to consider alternative options.

"We will be working to ensure that staff in the bank are offered suitable alternative employment and that their terms and conditions are protected."

Steve Tatlow, the assistant general secretary at Lloyds TSB Group Union, said: "The transfer of yet more jobs to India shows a complete disregard for corporate social responsibility by senior management.

"It shows no hesitation in making redundant the jobs of its existing UK staff merely because it can replace them with lower paid workers in India.

"This is the last thing the country needs at a time of economic instability and is a sign of disloyalty to UK jobs and the UK economy at a time when the financial sector has been going 'cap in hand' to the Government seeking political and financial support.

"The Government's ongoing support should be conditional upon Lloyds TSB showing a genuine commitment to the UK."

As well as Haywards Heath and Brighton, the job cuts will affect offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Haywards Heath, Gloucester, Andover and Edinburgh.