David Wright MP demands meeting over Telford RBS job losses

TELFORD MP David Wright today demanded a meeting with Royal Bank of Scotland bosses after they announced up to 500 jobs are to go in the town.

Mr Wright branded the jobs axe shocking and "a real kick in the teeth", not only for RBS staff but for the town as a whole.

The bank broke the news to workers yesterday that its Credit Management Services Office in Ironmasters Way, Telford Town Centre, would be one of 12 business service centres closed down over the next two years.

RBS, which is 83 per cent owned by the taxpayer, will also put a further three centres under review in plans to more than halve its administration centres in the UK with 3,500 staff being axed.

Mr Wright said: "This is a shocking announcement and my thoughts are with the employees of RBS and their families.

"The public stumped up the cash to save this bank and this is a kick in the teeth. I am now seeking a meeting with senior RBS management.

"If rumours RBS jobs are going abroad are true then it is a disgrace. The bank needs to stop spending millions on sports sponsorship and protect jobs in the UK."

Unite national officer Rob MacGregor said the union was appalled the tax payer-supported firm had, since 2009 cut 21,500 staff.

Mr MacGregor said: "Three weeks ago staff were boosted to hear of the £1.1 billion half year profit yet today thousands of them are told they have no future at the bank."

Councillor Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is extremely unhelpful in tough economic times — particularly when banks are supposed to be helping to spark the recovery."

Nigel Meffen, of RBS West Midlands, said the bank's Birmingham office remained open and some Telford staff would be offered a chance to relocate.

He said: "Telford office will close at some point over the next two years but staff will be given a 12-month notice period of the closure.

"It's very important to us to let our people know what is happening first and there will be opportunities for some staff to move to other RBC centres."

By Simon Hardy