Aviva slashes 1,100 jobs

Insurer Aviva is to cut IT jobs as it reduces its UK workforce by 1,100.

Norwich Union Life, part of Aviva, today confirmed that the majority of the losses will be in the areas of IT and business change.

1,100 permanent roles will be cut by the end of 2009, but the insurer said that the impact on staff will be minimised by natural turnover and redeployment.

It anticipates that the number of permanent employees who will leave the company will be about 800.

In addition, 590 contract positions will be cut over the next few months.

In recent years, the life and pensions provider has undertaken a series of major projects to simplify its operations and improve efficiency.

Mark Hodges, chief executive at Norwich Union Life, said in a statement: "Our strategy over the last three years has seen us transform and simplify our business, leaving us well placed to face the challenges ahead.

"We have made significant progress in improving our operational efficiency and are also nearing completion on a series of major change projects."

Norwich Union will now enter a consultation period with those affected by these changes.