Nestlé announced proposals to move production of the iconic Blue Riband chocolate bar from the UK to Poland resulting in around 300 job losses, following increasing import costs and uncertainty over how the Government will handle Brexit.

The GMB and Unite unions slammed the company for the move.

Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, said: “To shift the production of an iconic British brand like Blue Riband to Poland is completely unacceptable.

“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.”

​Nestlé said the proposals would be subject to a 45-day consultation period.

It said the proposals span four different sites: York, Fawdon, Halifax and Girvan, with job losses predominantly to hit York and Fawdon in Newcastle, through 2017 and 2018.

The company said it expected that these would be achieved through voluntary redundancies.

The proposed changes include amended and standardised shift patterns at each factory and, at Fawdon, the transfer of Blue Riband production to a Nestlé factory in Poland. This would mean being able to “simplify and focus Fawdon’s operation”, the company said.

These proposals are being made by Nestlé UK to ensure that these sites "operate more efficiently and remain competitive in a rapidly changing external environment".

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The company added: “Nestlé UK appreciates that this is an uncertain time for employees and will work hard to ensure all are supported through this difficult period.”

Rachell Maskell, whose York constituency will see 143 of the 298 job cuts 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.”