Aviva announces £1.3bn profits

A slimmed down workforce helped Aviva achieve £1.3bn profits last year - after losses of £885m in 2008.

The insurer, Norwich's biggest employer, said a 19pc reduction in staff globally had helped achieve a £500m cost savings target one year early, contributing to the company's “strong” results.

Today's improved figures come despite a fall of nearly £2bn in general insurance and health premiums, down from £11.1bn in 2008 to £9.2bn last year, partly due to the sale of Aviva's Dutch Delta Lloyd health business for 1.1bn euros (£998m).

The general insurance division was hit by claims after adverse weather in Europe, including £100m payouts following flooding in Cumbria and Ireland, as well as increased unemployment claims from UK creditor customers.

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