LLOYDS Bank has been accused of “betraying” communities after it announced a further 48 branch closures today.

The closures come on top of 56 closures last year and 151 in 2018-19 across Britain.

Lloyds high street branches will be reduced to 1,475, with the loss of 170 skilled workers, as a result of the cuts, warns Unite.

General secretary Sharon Graham accused Lloyds, one of the “big four” high street banks, of “a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business.”

She said: “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.

“We cannot allow the most vulnerable in our society to continue to be overlooked by the banking sector. 

“Bank branches and ATMs are vital public services for us all.”

Lloyds said that the branches selected for closure had “significantly fewer customers regularly using them.”