Wirral’s political leaders meet with business minister as the fight to save Burton’s biscuit factory in Moreton continues

Apr 6 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

THE fight to save Moreton’s Burtons biscuit factory continued this week with unions putting forward a plan to save it.

The proposal was presented at a meeting between the firm, Unite officials and Wallasey MP Angela Eagle in London on Friday.

Details of the plan have not been revealed but it involves changes to the way production work is structured, with a new focus on packaging.

It is understood this would still involve job losses, but Ms Eagle said it would provide for "a viable future for Burtons on the site".

Burtons said it would keep "an open mind" about the plan.

On Monday Ms Eagle, Wirral Council leader Jeff Green and chief executive Jim Wilkie met with business minister Mark Prisk to discuss the options for saving the factory.

The company, which makes Jammie Dodgers, announced in January that it wanted to shut the plant with the loss of 342 jobs and began 90-day consultation with staff.