Andover Lib Dems Backing Calls For Twinings To Reconsider Job Plans

7.08.56pm GMT Sun 3rd Jan 2010

Andover's Lib Dem councillors are backing calls for Twinings to reconsider its plans to implement redundancies and transfer production to Poland.

In a motion to be submitted to January's full council meeting they call for the council to back a parliamentary early day motion deploring the decision. They argue that the proposals will be bad for Twinings and the local economy and call on the borough's two MPs to support the parliamentary motion.

Lib Dem leader at Test Valley, Len Gates said "We have had a number of meetings with Twinings union members and agree with them that there is a very strong case for the company to retain and expand production at the Andover site. The redundancies are unnecessary and not in the best interests of the town or the company. We urge the company to listen to the union and reconsider its plans."

Parliamentary candidate Tom McCann added "The proposals may not just mean redundancies at Twinings but could have a knock on effect with their suppliers and sub-contractors. I was particularly concerned to hear from Enham residents that they are worried that their jobs packing tea for Twinings may also be under threat. The local council and MPs must act to protect local jobs."

The council meeting takes place on 14 January in Romsey. The full text of the motion is as follows.

"That this House expresses its concern that Twinings intends to close down its North Shields plant, resulting in the loss of 263 jobs, and to shed 129 jobs from its Andover plant and move the majority of its production to Poland and China; notes that Twinings and its parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) remain hugely profitable, making in excess of £56 million; further notes the adverse impact that this decision will have on the local economies and people of North Shields and Andover; therefore calls on Twinings and ABF to reverse their decision and to maintain their plant in North Shields and full production in Andover; and calls on the Government to intervene as a matter of urgency to prevent such unnecessary loss of jobs in the UK.

This council fully endorses the sentiments expressed in this motion and in particular regards any loss of jobs at the Andover plant as detrimental to the economy of Andover and Test Valley.

This council therefore resolves to write to both our local MPs calling on them to support the early day motion".

Press release ends. For further details please contact

Len Gates 07793 607190 or 01264 356759

Tom McCann 07882 437140 or 01189 628201