Unite has said that the programme, dubbed 'Project Simplify', started as an attempt to cut bureaucracy and duplication at senior and middle management levels, but has turned into a major job cuts agenda across the Aviva workforce.

David Fleming, Unite national officer said: "Our members face being asked to pay the price of boardroom failure and Unite is dismayed that what started out as a shareholders' revolt on executive pay will result in a jobs cull. This is totally unacceptable."

In other news, to help develop a new driving app that could earn them a discount of up to 20 percent on their insurance. It is using smartphone technology to create individual driver profiles that will be used to calculate tailored pay-how-you-drive premiums.