Heinz tomato ketchup's £140m return to Wigan SCRAPPED - and bosses blame workers

Food manufacturing giant Kraft Heinz has blamed its workers after pulling a promised £140 million investment from its Wigan factory.

The investment would have brought ketchup production back to the UK and created 50 jobs at the food processing plant in Kitt Green, Orrell. Instead the money will now be invested in sites in Alfaro, Spain and Pudliszki, Poland.

Workers' union Unite slammed the decision and described it as a 'disgraceful betrayal'. Unite also asked Heinz for 'cast-iron reassurances' about the future of the site, following the news.

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Joe Clarke, Unite's national officer for the food and drink sector, said: “This is a disgraceful betrayal of this loyal workforce. They were told to make sacrifices to receive this investment yet it has gone to Poland and Spain without any such demands being made.

“Our members are reeling from this news so we are seeking immediate, cast-iron safeguards that the UK plant and jobs are secure. We will not allow the UK workforce to be treated like this and Unite will fully support our members in any next steps that they wish to take.”

Mr Clarke added: “The millions of UK consumers, who purchase Heinz products, will be disturbed to learn that the workers who make their favourite products are being treated so badly by Kraft Heinz.

“We will now instigate discussions with senior management at the company as to the future plans and investment for the Kitt Green site. The job security of the workforce is our priority.”

Kraft Heinz blamed the decision to distribute the funding elsewhere on a ballot that 'r ejected the package of measures and progress towards modernised working practices' that the company claimed