Confectionery giant Nestlé UK is planning to axe almost 300 jobs in the UK as it prepares to move production of its Blue Riband chocolate biscuit to Poland.

The proposals could result in the loss of 298 jobs across Nestlés York, Fawdon, Halifax and Girvan sites, predominantly at York (143 jobs) and Fawdon (110 jobs), through 2017 and 2018. It is 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 most complex of Nestlés UK confectionery sites, the transfer of Blue Riband production to a Nestlé factory in Poland. This, the company says, would mean being able to simplify and focus Fawdons operation.

"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," the company explains.

A 45-day consultation on the proposals will commence as soon as possible with trade unios and employee representatives.

The GMB unio is calling on the UK government to act, noting that Blue Riband has been made in the UK since 1936 and is primarily consumed by the UK market – meaning it will have to be exported back into this country if production moves to Eastern Europe. 

"To shift the production of an iconic British brand like Blue Riband to Poland is completely unacceptable," says GMB general secretary Tim Roache. "Nestlé are throwing peoples lives, and those of their families, into turmoil for the sake of increasing profit margins.

"These factories should be exporting chocolate – not peoples jobs. The government needs to step in before its too late – and reassure millions of workers across the country this is not just the tip of the Brexit iceberg."

Unite national officer Julia Long adds, "We will be campaigning to save as many jobs as possible and pressing Nestlé to think again about these plans which will see the loss of hundreds jobs and the production of an iconic biscuit shipped to Poland.

"Rather than turning its back on its UK workforce, Nestlé should be investing in its UK operations and keeping production here at plants in the UK."