THE proposed closure of a Scottish factory could see more production move to Carlisle.

Pladis, the global snacking company that owns McVitie’s, has announced proposals to close its factory in Tollcross, Glasgow - subject to a consultation with employees.

The closure would see the loss of up to 468 jobs, with production moved to other pladis sites within the UK - including Carlisle.

The factory would then cease operations in the first half of 2022.

The company say the move has come about due to a need to address “excess capacity” across its UK sites, to ensure it can continue to invest in the future success of the bsuiness.

The Tollcross site has been identified for potential closure based on a “comprehensive business analysis” considering sveral factors including utilisation, volume and product mix.

David Murray, pladis UK & Ireland Managing Director who announced the consultation to employees at meetings on Tuesday, acknowledged the news would be difficult for staff.

He said: “We know this news will be difficult for our colleagues at Tollcross. Our priority now is to provide them with the support they need during the consultation process.

“Pladis is home to some of Britain’s best loved brands which have been part of the fabric of our society for nearly two hundred years.

“In order to protect them for generations to come, we must take steps to address excess capacity in the UK.

“This overcapacity limits our ability to make the right investments in future capabilities to meet the very big changes in our industry.”

It comes four years after the GMB Scotland union raised fears for its future and sought reassurances from managers over the factory which produces Hobnobs and Rich Tea biscuits, among other products.

The union raised worries Pladis was not committed long-term having been silent over the future of modernisation investment at the Tollcross site. Pladis had said it had invested more than £5m in the previous few years.

The McVitie’s presence in Scotland goes back to 1830.

GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith described the decision as “utterly shameful” and “the lowest of the low after a wretched year”.

He said: “Staff have worked through the Covid-19 pandemic because management insist these are key workers, helping this business increase its lockdown sales into billions of pounds.

“Instead of re-investing some of that money back into the Tollcross plant and its dedicated workforce, management are rewarding them with the closure of their site within a year. We will absolutely fight against this.”