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Biscuit job losses 'rise to 821'
Talks are being staged to try to get the firm to reverse its decision
A top level Whitehall meeting is to take place over the decision to close a biscuit factory in Wirral, with the loss of more than 800 jobs.
Angela Eagle, Labour MP for Wallasey, is to discuss the closure of Burton's biscuit factory in Moreton with Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton.
The minister agreed to the meeting after she told him in the Commons that the job cuts had risen to 821.
The company is the largest private sector employer in her constituency.
Burton's Foods announced the proposed cuts last month following an "extensive" review of its business operations.
Initially, it said there would be 660 job cuts, although Ms Eagle told the Commons on Monday that this figure had "now gone up to 821".
Support is strong from the local community but there's no doubt we are facing a tough battle
Franny Joyce, Unite union
"Will my right honourable friend meet a delegation and tell us what we can expect, should these closures go ahead, so that we can try to recover back to the low rates of unemployment that my constituents have got used to in the last 10 years?"
Mr Hutton told the Commons that efforts would be made to find work for those affected in Ms Eagle's constituency through Job Centre Plus.
But he added: "I'm very happy to meet my honourable friend and to discuss with her what arrangements we can put in place to help her constituents."
In addition to the ministerial meeting, a delegation of workers and union leaders from the Unite union are due to meet employment minister Jim Murphy on Tuesday evening.
Franny Joyce, regional organiser, said: "Support is strong from the local community but there's no doubt we are facing a tough battle.
"Meeting the minister is a significant part of our campaign.
"We'll make sure he knows the importance of the plant to the area and see what he can do to assist us."
No-one was available from Burton's Foods to comment on the job loss figures.
Biscuit job losses 'rise to 821'
Talks are being staged to try to get the firm to reverse its decision
A top level Whitehall meeting is to take place over the decision to close a biscuit factory in Wirral, with the loss of more than 800 jobs.
Angela Eagle, Labour MP for Wallasey, is to discuss the closure of Burton's biscuit factory in Moreton with Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton.
The minister agreed to the meeting after she told him in the Commons that the job cuts had risen to 821.
The company is the largest private sector employer in her constituency.
Burton's Foods announced the proposed cuts last month following an "extensive" review of its business operations.
Initially, it said there would be 660 job cuts, although Ms Eagle told the Commons on Monday that this figure had "now gone up to 821".
Support is strong from the local community but there's no doubt we are facing a tough battle
Franny Joyce, Unite union
"Will my right honourable friend meet a delegation and tell us what we can expect, should these closures go ahead, so that we can try to recover back to the low rates of unemployment that my constituents have got used to in the last 10 years?"
Mr Hutton told the Commons that efforts would be made to find work for those affected in Ms Eagle's constituency through Job Centre Plus.
But he added: "I'm very happy to meet my honourable friend and to discuss with her what arrangements we can put in place to help her constituents."
In addition to the ministerial meeting, a delegation of workers and union leaders from the Unite union are due to meet employment minister Jim Murphy on Tuesday evening.
Franny Joyce, regional organiser, said: "Support is strong from the local community but there's no doubt we are facing a tough battle.
"Meeting the minister is a significant part of our campaign.
"We'll make sure he knows the importance of the plant to the area and see what he can do to assist us."
No-one was available from Burton's Foods to comment on the job loss figures.
