BARCLAYS is to cut 900 jobs in its UK business, trade union Unite said Tuesday (28), branding the bank's move as "disgraceful" in the run-up to Christmas. The union said the cuts are mostly in back-office jobs such as compliance, finance, legal, policy, IT and risk. Barclays said it was restructuring "to simplify and reshape the business, improve service, and deliver higher returns," but would not confirm numbers. "This includes changes to our headcount as management layers are reduced and the group improves its technology and automation capabilities," a spokesperson said. "We are committed to supporting impacted colleagues through these changes." The move comes as British banks, including Barclays, close high-street branches as more customers move online and payments go increasingly cashless. Consumer groups have warned that the closures hit those who predominantly still use cash, particularly the elderly.