Big bank gets bigger despite job cuts

Barclays
staff numbers grew by 2,400 last year, despite the bank cutting 1,800 back
office jobs.

Bank
spokeswoman Chris Tucker said new technology has reduced the need for some back
office staff, but more customer-relations positions have been created.

The
growth sees the total number of employees at the bank rise to 78,600.

Tucker
said longer opening hours will also create more jobs.

HSBC
and NatWest have also cut backroom staff to more streamline operations.

By Quentin Reade