Barclays confirmed today that it will be outsourcing IT roles overseas over the next three years.
In a statement, the high street bank said: "Some roles will move offshore and colleagues will have the opportunity to apply for these roles and relocate." It would not confirm the number of roles being cut, but media reports suggested it would be some 1,800 from global infrastructure and service delivery.
Some 700 roles will be moved to Hungary, India and Singapore this year, with the rest following over the course of two years. About 1,000 positions will remain in the UK, reports suggested.
The move was announced to staff in January. The bank will also be reducing the number of contractors and temporary staff it uses, it said in a statement.
The bank said it has been working with the union Unite to help affected permanent staff find roles at Barclays or elsewhere. It will also offer a retraining allowance.
Earlier this year, several City banks tried to rein in their spending on IT contractors, while Lloyds TSB sent another 450 IT jobs overseas.
