Nestlé is set to cut more than 450 jobs across its network, with union bosses fearing its site in York will be hit hard under the plans.
The majority of jobs, among staff and managers, will go in York and Gatwick but factories across the UK could be affected, according to the GMB Union.
Nestlé announced in 2025 that it would be cutting 16,000 roles globally and said it will “manage any changes in the right way and in consultation with our people”.
KitKat biscuits which are made by Nestle (Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
The food manufacturing giant, which has its York site in Haxby Road, announced to staff on Thursday afternoon (April 23) that it planned to cut more than 450 jobs across the UK.
A Nestlé spokesperson could not say how many jobs will be cut in York as they said the plans are subject to consultation.
Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, the GMB union’s national secretary, said the cuts will “rip the heart out of communities”.
“Nestlé workers – who make some of the UK’s best loved treats – have already put up with years of uncertainty and job losses,” she said.
“GMB will be working closely with members and the company to ease the pain of these cuts as much as possible.”
‘Jobs need protecting,’ says MP
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said it was a “very worrying time for staff”, and she would contact Nestlé to “understand the full impact in York”.
“I have corresponded with Nestlé today to make it clear that after their investment in the York site, we need to protect jobs in the city,” the MP said.
“I have also liaised with the Nestlé unions, as I know that this is a very worrying time for staff.
“Jobs need protecting and as Nestlé made 9bn (Swiss francs) profit in 2025, it is clear that it should be investing in the company’s future, not stripping it back further.
Rachael Maskell, York Central MP (Image: UK Parliament/PA Wire)
“I will further speak to the company as I want to understand the full proposed impact in York.
“York is the leading site for Nestlé’s confectionary operation in the UK, and has a responsibility in the city to protect jobs, having taken over Rowntree’s factory.
“Following further discussions with the company and unions, I will determine what action I can best take to protect jobs and secure the future of manufacturing in York.”
The Nestlé spokesperson said: “We said in 2025 that we will reduce our global workforce by 16,000 roles and that process is ongoing.
“As always, we will manage any changes in the right way and in consultation with our people. Any proposed changes will always be shared with those affected first and we have no further update to give at this time.”
The company’s announcement follows it recently investing around £8 million to extend the working life of its York Distribution Centre, in Haxby Road.
York Distribution Centre centre supplies the north of England and Scotland with Nestlé’s world-renowned products, including the Kit Kat which has been made in York for 90 years.
The refurbishment of the centre was underway last year and saw six high-bay stacker cranes – automated cranes used to store and retrieve pallets – replaced in the 32,500-pallet warehouse.