JOB cuts at a bank could affect Southend's economy, a union fears.

Last week RBS announced it is to cut 66 jobs at its Southend base in a bid to "restructure" its business.

Unite called a move to outsource back office jobs to India the "ultimate betrayal" by the bank which has been bailed out by British taxpayers

Unite, which is helping to support workers at the Southend bank through a troubling time, says additional job cuts can't be ruled out as banking services become more and more digitised and less about face-to-face customer service.

Rob McGregor, Unite's national officer for finance, said: "We are concerned about future job losses in Southend and have raised this matter at the highest level requesting assurances there will be no further job losses.

"There is genuine concern among workers there are going to be further job cuts as the bank cuts costs. Banking is becoming more digitised. Apps have now even taken over from internet banking and that is all added into the mix.

"They also want jobs done cheaper elsewhere - in this case in India. We are growing concerned about that. There will be no customer contact even though all RBS customers are in the UK."

Mr McGregor said the bank had let down the very people who saved it during the banking crisis, and who continue to support it.

He said: " The primary role of any bank is to give a good quality service to UK customers, particularly when that bank has been bailed out by UK taxpayers. These are the taxpayers who will now lose their jobs.

"They have said 66 jobs will go in Southend but we haven't got definitive figures. We reckon that was one of the smaller announcements and there may be more further down the line."

Mr Mcgregor added: "The bank employs several thousand people in Southend but we don't know what the long-term future will be for the bank in Southend.

"It is a major employer in the town. Many of these people earn less than £20,000 but its been good, stable work until now. To lose this from the local economy in the current climate is the last thing Southend needs."

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: "I am very sorry for the job losses and the people involved and their families

"I'm also sorry to see the jobs go to India and would prefer them to remain in the UK."

Ms Holland added: "At the moment business in Southend seems quite positive so I'm not sure this will have much effect but any loss of jobs is difficult for the economy so lets hope other businesses thrive.

"We have big project like the Queensway redevelopment which will bring more people into the town and will help increase spending in the local economy."