DUNFERMLINE and West Fife MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP has sought assurances from Lloyds that jobs in Dunfermline will be protected.

Ms Somerville was responding to a recent announcement by the company that they will axe 3,000 jobs, and close 200 branches, across the UK. Lloyds previously announced 9,000 job losses in October 2014.

In a letter to António Horta-Osório, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, Ms Somerville wrote: “You will have noted that Lloyds Banking Group employs a number of staff in my constituency of Dunfermline, at a contact centre in Pitreavie Business Park, and at a high street branch in East Port.

“These services are vitally important to people in the area, providing employment and high street accessibility for Lloyds customers in Dunfermline.”

Commenting, Ms Somerville said: “Lloyds is an important employer in Dunfermline, creating jobs and employment opportunities for people in the town and surrounding area. I sincerely hope that management can assure their staff, and my constituents, that jobs and services are safe in Dunfermline.

“I'm looking for Lloyds management to make a public commitment to the long-term future of the contact centre and the Lloyds branch in East Port. Such an upfront and public reassurance would be welcomed by all involved and will demonstrate the company's commitment to the town going forward.”