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Almost 50 Lloyds and Halifax bank branches to close next year

The move has been branded a 'betrayal' by Unite

Lloyds Banking Group has announced the new closures(Image: Getty Images)

Almost 50 Lloyds Bank and Halifax brands are set to close next year across England and Wales, the group has announced.

Lloyds Banking Group will shutter 48 of its sites including 41 Lloyds Bank branches and seven Halifax branches.

This announcement will cut the number of the group's sites from 1,523 to 1,475.

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Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Like many other businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing.

"Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them."

However, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the announcement was a "complete betrayal" of communities and staff.

She said: "The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group of closing a further 48 bank branches is a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business.