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Barclays using AI as an excuse to cut 5,000 jobs, says Unite

BARCLAYS announced around 5,000 job cuts by the end of 2026 after turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for “efficiencies” today.The banking group said this is the equivalent of about 5 per cent of all its employees, which totalled around 93,000 globally at the end of 2025.Some 1,000 of the roles were cut during the first half of 2026, and the remainder are spread out over the second half of the year.The majority of the reductions relate to operational and functional roles across the bank.

By the Truvace desk1 min read1 sourceJournalismTRV-2026-2175· cite & verify
Barclays using AI as an excuse to cut 5,000 jobs, says Unite

In brief

Barclays announced it will shed roughly 5,000 jobs by the end of 2026 and linked the move to a turn toward artificial intelligence for efficiencies. The cuts equal about 5 per cent of a workforce that totalled around 93,000 worldwide at the end of 2025.

The announcement shows how AI-linked efficiency drives at large banks can translate into workforce reductions, mainly in back-office type roles. The supplied text does not show how much of the reduction is actually caused by AI, or what happens to the affected staff.

Main points

  1. Barclays announced around 5,000 job cuts to be completed by the end of 2026.
  2. The cuts are about 5 per cent of roughly 93,000 employees worldwide at the end of 2025.
  3. About 1,000 of the roles were cut in the first half of 2026.
  4. Most reductions are in operational and functional roles across the bank.

The problem

Barclays says it will cut around 5,000 roles, about 5 per cent of its workforce, after turning to AI for efficiencies, with most reductions in operational and functional roles.

The rundown

The bank said the job reductions follow a turn to AI for efficiencies. The announcement was reported on 22 October 2026 and covers cuts through the end of 2026.

About 1,000 of the roles were already cut in the first half of 2026, with the remaining roles spread across the second half of the year. The majority of the reductions are in operational and functional roles rather than a single business line.

Sources

  1. JournalismThe Morning Star2026-10-22

The debate