Insurance firm Aviva has announced plans to move 600 UK jobs from its life insurance division to Pune, India.

The plans are part cost-cutting exercises which last month led to announcements that Aviva will be cutting 2,000 jobs globally.

The offshoring plan will see jobs lost at offices in York, Sheffield and Norwich by the end of 2014, to the anger of Unite, which labelled the move as ‘outrageous’ and pledged to reverse the decision.

Dominic Hook, Unite national officer, said: ‘… when Britain’s economy is suffering it’s outrageous that the insurer isn’t supporting employment in the UK.’

In a statement Aviva said: ‘We appreciate this is a difficult time for our staff and will be working closely with those affected to ensure they get all the support they need.’

Aviva’s first quarter results for 2013 are due to be released this Thursday.