Member Article

Unite report damns Legal & General Surrey site closure

Unite has criticised the planned closure of Legal & General’s Surrey headquarters after an independent report revealed the potential impact of any move.

The report found that closure of the firm’s headquarters in Kingswood would create a £21m ‘black hole’ in the Surrey economy and put more than 1,500 jobs at risk.

Earlier this month, workers at the site voted in favour of industrial action after plans to close the St Monica’s Way site in 2018 were revealed by the financial services company.

Findings from the report, which was prepared by CLES Consulting, considered the total cost of closure in terms of lost wages and increases in welfare payments.

In light of the report Unite’s Regional Organiser, Ian Methven, said: “Our independent report reveals that Legal & General are prepared to rip a £21m black hole in to the local economy, a bitter reward for the 70 years that Kingswood has provided a home for the company to prosper.

“This dispute is a damning example of how a company can completely squander its relationship with both staff and the community in pursuit of meagre savings. We are calling on the Legal & General board recognise their social responsibility and to work with Unite to consider all options for keeping Kingswood open.”