The Gibraltar Social Democrat Opposition continues to very carefully monitor developments in relation to Barclays Bank. 

From the moment that the bank made its recent announcement to radically reduce its services in Gibraltar, the party highlighted what it considers as the important issues which required to be tackled as matters of priority, namely the employees’ future and the banking service requirements of our community, such as mortgage lending. 

It appears from a Chronicle report in Monday’s edition that Barclays has plans to continue offering mortgage facilities for Gibraltar properties through to 2016.  What impact this will have on the retention of jobs is yet unclear.

At the last meeting of Parliament, the Opposition Spokesman for Employment, The Hon Damon Bossino, asked the Chief Minister for details of the assistance which is being provided by the Government in relation to the proposed redundancies and has written to him separately seeking further details in this connection.  A meeting has also been sought with Unite to discuss the redundancies.

Both Mr Bossino and the Leader of the GSD, Daniel Feetham, are monitoring developments very closely, making themselves available to anybody affected by the bank’s decision to approach it, with any concerns they may have.