The job cuts will be made as the company looks to consolidate its general insurance operations into seven centres at Norwich, Perth, Bishopbriggs, Stretford, Manchester, Leicester and Southend.

It said it would be withdrawing from Dundee, Glasgow city centre, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Cheadle, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton, Basildon, Ipswich, Exeter and Worthing. This will happen over the next two years.

After a number of mergers and acquisitions, Aviva said its Norwich Union Insurance operations had become complex, with too many products, processes, systems and locations.

The company employs 30,000 people in the UK, with around 18,000 staff working in general insurance in 52 towns and cities in the UK. The changes will impact on 22 locations, with staff also being moved to smaller accommodation in the same area.

Aviva will still have a presence in many of the locations as the sites also house staff working for other parts of Norwich Union.

After a number of mergers and acquisitions, Aviva said its Norwich Union Insurance operations had become complex, with too many products, processes, systems and locations.

The company employs 30,000 people in the UK, with around 18,000 staff working in general insurance in 52 towns and cities in the UK. The changes announced on Friday will impact on 22 locations, with staff also being moved to smaller accommodation in the same area.

Aviva will still have a presence in many of the locations mentioned on Friday as the sites also house staff working for other parts of Norwich Union.

Norwich Union is the UK's largest general insurer with a market share of around 15%. It is also a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products.