LONDON (AP) — Barclays PLC faced widespread criticism Tuesday after the scandal-plagued bank announced plans to slash up to 12,000 jobs this year while also setting aside more money to pay bonuses.

The bonus pool rose by 210 million pounds ($345 million) in 2013 — a move Chief Executive Antony Jenkins defended despite his mission to improve trust in the institution following a string of scandals including its involvement in the rigging of the Libor interbank lending rate.

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