The Welsh minister for the economy, Vaughn Gething, has announced the Welsh government is set up a taskforce in response to the announcement by 2 Sisters Food Group that it plans to close its poultry processing plant in Llangefni.
In addition to the local authority, Welsh Government, DWP, Business Wales and Trade Union representatives, the taskforce will include other partners who will be able to advise and inform actions in relation to the wider economic and social impacts of this announcement. The Taskforce will convene on Friday the 3rd of February to discuss a way forward and will continue to work to understand the implications and to offer any support to the workforce impacted by this announcement.
The closure, if it went ahead, would result in the loss of around 740 jobs on Anglesey.
“This is a clearly a worrying situation facing not just the workers, but the wider community,” said Gething, in a statement to the Welsh parliament. “We are determined to do all we can and to pull all possible levers to offer support to people affected by these recent developments. I am determined to ensure that all parties work together in our efforts to deliver a sustainable future for the local economy.
“This is another example of where Brexit, inflation and the energy crisis are all having a detrimental effect on our economy, affecting real people in our communities. We will once again urge the UK Government to act quickly to support Welsh businesses. In this regard I would stress that the taskforce will be exploring all options, including the potential to continue with plant operations and safeguard these jobs if possible.”
