Lloyds Bank and Halifax are set to close a further 48 branches in the new year due to a fall in use from customers, it has been announced.

The Unite union has said the closures of 41 Lloyds Bank and 7 Halifax branches, including 3 in Gloucestershire, will deny thousands of customers access to vital services and cash.

It also said the closures could lead to 178 job losses.

Halifax Tewkesbury is going to close on February 2, 2022.

The Lloyds Brockworth branch is due to close on March 7, 2022 while the Lloyds Coleford branch is set to close on March 15, 2022.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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.

“This sector needs to start taking their corporate social responsibilities seriously and stop neglecting their obligations to their customers and workforce.

“Banks are leaving people behind in the rush to close bank branches and force consumers to go cashless to boost their mega-profits. It’s a classic example of putting profits before people.”

Unite said it believes the banking industry should have a legal commitment to protect access to cash and bank branches.

Lloyds Banking Group explains why branches are closing

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.”