RBS denial in row over staff bonus

In the first half of 2009, £1.787 billion was put aside to cover staff expenses, including salaries and bonuses.

A spokesman said that any attempt to put a figure on the payouts for the year was "without any foundation".

He said: "Absolutely no decisions have been made about these things at all. To have a punt on numbers is without any foundation whatsoever."

The size of bonuses will not be determined until the end of the year, after RBS's figures for the third quarter have been released in November.

These will give an update on how much cash has been put aside to cover staff expenses for nine months of the year.

This comes after claims that Lloyds TSB, which is 43% state owned, was drawing up a new bonus plan to be revealed in the new year.