50 jobs to go at Newport food factory, say union leaders

Up to 50 jobs could be lost at a food factory near Newport, company bosses announced today.

Premier Foods says it was planning to cut the jobs at its premises in Knighton following the loss of one of its business contacts.

Union officials said they would now be working with the company, which has a number of high profile clients including Hovis, Ambrosia and Oxo.

Lisa Attenborough, for Premier Foods, said: "Premier Foods can confirm that it is proposing to make a small number of redundancies at its site at Knighton, Staffordshire.

"We will endeavour to keep any compulsory job losses to a minimum. This is due to a contract loss at the site as a customer is restructuring its supply chain."

Mick Stevens, for the union Unite, said: "A consultation period of 30 days has now begun. Everyone is fully aware of the touch economic climate we are in."

A company employee, who didn't want to be named, claimed the firm announced the news after losing a business contract with chocolate firm Cadbury.