Confectionery giant Nestlé has proposed plans to move the production of the Blue Riband chocolate bar to Poland, resulting in around 300 UK job losses.
The proposals will affect four UK sites; York, Fawdon, Halifax and Girvan. Job losses will predominantly affect York and Fawdon in Newcastle in the next 12 months.
“Nestlé UK appreciates that this is an uncertain time for employees and will work hard to ensure all are supported through this difficult period.” said the company.
The news has caused anger from MPs and trade unions throughout the UK.
“To shift the production of an iconic British brand like Blue Riband to Poland is completely unacceptable.” said Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary.
“Nestlé are throwing people’s lives, and those of their families, into turmoil for the sake of increasing profit margins.
“These factories should be exporting chocolate – not people’s jobs.
“The Government needs to step in before it’s too late – and reassure millions of workers across the country this is not just the tip of the Brexit iceberg.”
MP from York, Rachell Maskell, said: “Workers and their families have the right to be angry that Nestlé is cutting jobs in York. Rowntree’s was a family firm who invested in jobs, homes and benefits to workers and their families, Nestle has lost the significance of the company by telling 143 workers that they are no longer needed at their factory.
“I will do everything possible to get the Government to secure these manufacturing jobs in York. I have already written to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, to highlight the devastating impact that these job losses will have on workers and their families, on the business, on York’s economy and on the wider community. I am calling on the Prime minister to intervene and avert these job losses.”
“I am calling on the Prime minister to intervene and avert these job losses.”