Firm announces another blow for textile jobs

Desmond & Sons, which supplies exclusively to Marks & Spencer, has announced the closure of one of its factories in Northern Ireland with the loss of more than 100 jobs. The firm blamed pressure on high street prices and difficulty in recruiting workers for the decision to shut down its plant in Dungannon.

The company says it has began consultating with trade unions on its plan to end production at the plant, which employs 106 people in the manufacture of ladies' leisurewear.

Imperial Tobacco, the cigarette maker whose brands include Embassy, Regal and Lambert & Butler, has said it is cutting 800 jobs as part of a restructuring plan.

The company said its corporate headquarters will remain in Bristol, while its manufacturing headquarters will move to Hamburg, Germany.

According to Imperial, of the 800 job cuts, 238 would go from the manufacturing division, 400 from sales, and the rest would come from marketing, finance and human resources.

Amicus-MSF, the union representing tobacco workers, described the announcement as a "devastating blow" and said the government needed to address the issue of tobacco duty.

Support services group and PFI contractor Amey (see page 15) is radically overhauling its business and cutting 300 jobs. The cuts, across its UK operations, started at the beginning of August and are expected to be made before the end of this year.