Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
Posted by Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, at 14:06, Mon 6 September 2010:
Last Friday I had a 90-minute meeting with RBS bosses in Harrogate. This followed the shock news that the RBS operation in Harrogate is set to close. They outlined the company’s plans and gave me precise details of the scale of redundancies proposed.
The situation is extremely concerning particularly for those employees whose livelihoods are under threat. The best solution is that this high-performing centre does not close and I have written to RBS Chairman, Philip Hampton, asking him to reconsider their position.
RBS confirmed to me that up to 280 jobs are under threat and the redundancies will occur over two years. None of the work is being moved to call centres outside the UK. The initial rumour was that over 500 jobs would go. The balance of the jobs seem likely to transfer to another company but to remain at the Harrogate site.
In the event of RBS not changing its mind on the closure, I spoke to the managers at some length about how they would help staff who face redundancy and I was pleased to see that they had given this serious consideration. In addition to the measures which RBS propose I have asked the Council’s Economic Development Unit to contact the company to discuss ways in which staff can be helped find alternative employment.
I expect to be holding further meetings with RBS as the situation develops and hope for a positive response from their Chairman, Philip Hampton, in the meantime.
Andrew Jones MP 01423 529614 andrew.jones.mp@parliament.uk
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