Battered workers at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) reeled once more yesterday as the bank's executive class leaked news of thousands more layoffs starting month.

Staff union Unite reacted with alarm after reports surfaced of a £1 billion cuts plan - with ordinary clerks and tellers allegedly in the cross-hairs.

Sources published in the Herald and described as "colleagues" of chief executive Ross McEwan said yesterday they expected "very substantial" layoffs when the bailed-out bank proffers its annual results in February.