RBS to axe more than 200 tech jobs in shake-up

In a statement, the the still 73 per cent state-owned lender said the cuts come as it moves towards becoming a “simpler, smaller UK-focused bank”.

Via an e-mailed statement, an RBS spokesman said: “We’re continuing to restructure our back office support and reducing its size so it’s a better fit for our business,”

It is expected that the jobs will be shed by the end of this year.

It is also putting 180 permanent roles at risk in a process which will see 88 employees in line for other roles - but the remaining 92 out of work.

The downsizing at the Edinburgh-based bank moving will also see it move ahead with plans to shift 38 roles to India.

Trade union Unite criticised the move and announced that it opposed the off-shoring by RBS of jobs to the subcontinent.

Rob MacGregor, national officer at Unite, said: “Unite cannot understand how RBS, which continues to be taxpayer-backed, can justify hundreds more staff cuts and continue transferring important work out of the country.

“It is wholly inappropriate and unjustified for these technology roles to be sent offshore.”

The bank said: “As RBS moves towards becoming a simpler, smaller UK focused bank, we’re continuing to restructure our back office support and reducing its size so it’s a better fit for our business.

“Unfortunately, these changes will result in the net reduction of 92 roles.

“We understand this will be difficult news for staff and we will be offering support to those affected, including redeploying people into other roles where we can.”