Clydesdale axes 145 Scots jobs

CLYDESDALE Bank has confirmed that 145 posts will be axed in Scotland under the first tranche of the 1,400 job losses announced in April.

The Unite trade union said that 85 posts would go at “financial solutions centres” in the east of Scotland, with a further 60 roles going in the west.

National Australia Group, which owns Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, is reducing its exposure to commercial property in the UK and is closing 29 of its business centres. In the first wave, 730 jobs will be lost.

David Fleming, Unite’s national officer, said the job losses were “devastating”. He added: “Serious questions need to be answered by the management as to why the bank expanded in this business area so rapidly, when the model was significantly flawed.”