NATWEST bank’s long-term future is being undermined by owners Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), unions warned yesterday as another 600 job losses were announced.

RBS, 73 per cent owned by the Treasury since the 2008 financial bailout, said yesterday it will be axing 32 NatWest branches nationwide, adding to 385 branch closures in 2014-16.

Banking union Unite said the cuts have also coincided with opening hours changes at 220 branches across the north, hours reductions at 94 Midlands and eastern branches and 1,500 prior job losses so far this year.