Councillor urges Government to act over 80 jobs at Knottingley glass factory

Plans to shut down a furnace at Ardagh Glass in Knottingley have placed 80 jobs under threat, triggering urgent demands for ministers to rethink packaging levies blamed for damaging the sector.

The manufacturer's closure proposal has prompted sharp criticism from trade union GMB, which stated that a significant driver behind the move is the direct impact of the Government’s packaging tax on the British bottling industry.

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, waste-sorting and recycling costs have been transferred from local authorities to packaging producers.

Warning of severe consequences for manufacturing, Matt Henderson-Thynne, GMB Organiser, said: "It’s increasingly apparent that the Extended Producer Responsibility tax is killing the British bottling industry.

"These proposed job losses should be ringing alarms across Government. This isn’t just about Knottingley, it’s about the future of British industrial jobs.

"Ministers must now listen to the industry, the unions and think again on the packaging tax."

A GMB spokesperson added: "Generations of families across the UK depend on these jobs. If the Government does not review the packaging tax, the security of these families and the wider bottling industry will be threatened."

Local political representatives have also raised alarm over the impact of the planned cuts on the community. Coun Rachel Speak (Lib Dem/Knottingley/Ferrybridge), leader of The Lib Dems in Wakefield, called for prompt intervention to prevent further industrial decline.

Coun Speak said: "The announcement of 80 job losses at Ardagh Glass in Knottingley is deeply worrying. My thoughts are with the workers and their families facing uncertainty about their livelihoods.

"Knottingley cannot afford further losses to its industrial base. These jobs support families, local businesses and the wider community. Glass manufacturing is a proud part of our town’s heritage, and we must fight for its future.

"GMB has identified packaging charges as a significant factor behind this decision. I am calling on Andy Burnham and his Government to urgently examine these concerns, listen to the industry and unions, and change the rules where they are putting manufacturing jobs at risk.

"We need action now to protect employment and explore every option to prevent these job losses, before Knottingley suffers further damage to the industry our town depends on."

Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley Labour MP Yvette Cooper described the development as a severe setback for the workforce.

Cooper said: "Ardagh’s proposed redundancies are a real blow for the hard working Knottingley workforce.

"I’ve spoken to the West Yorkshire Mayor and the Business Secretary again this week about the vital importance of supporting our glass industry which is being hit by global energy prices, unfair competition and rules.

"I’m in contact with the trade unions and seeking urgent follow up discussions with Ardagh. The glass industry is a crucial part of the Yorkshire and national economy.

“For some time I have been working with local companies, British Glass and trade unions to raise these issues across the Government, the Mayor’s Office and with Number 10 North and to propose ways to support glass jobs in Knottingley. I am seeking urgent follow up meetings over the next two weeks."

Defending its approach, a Government spokesperson said: "We know this will be a concerning time for workers and their families associated with Ardagh Glass and are providing a range of support to the sector whilst we work together on finding longer term solutions to the challenges it faces.

“We’re strongly committed to supporting a strong and competitive glass sector, and steps we have taken include reducing electricity bills by up to 25 per cent for over 10,000 manufacturers, discounting fees for easy to recycle materials and addressing unfair trading practices.”

The Government spokesperson added that EPR charges will be lower for easy-to-recycle materials starting this year.

The spokesperson continued: "Glass falls into this category, and therefore we estimate that over 90 per cent of glass packaging will benefit from a discount on fees.

"As part of EPR, councils across the UK are receiving £1.4 billion to improve recycling services in every town and city. This could be spent on offering local residents simpler and easier recycling collections, building new infrastructure or covering the costs of upgrading facilities where councils send household waste.

"We’ve been actively working with industry since before the EPR scheme went live to understand the potential impact of the scheme on packaging choices, including what might drive switching to different materials, and both Defra and PackUK meet glass industry representatives regularly.

"The EPR reforms were also consulted on extensively through three public consultations prior to launch, covering design and how the reforms should be operationalised.

"The scheme also incentivises producers to move to reusable packaging. Packaging intended for reuse is only charged EPR fees the first time it is placed on the market."

Ardagh Glass has been contacted for comment.