New talks held over closure-threatened dairy plant

Fresh talks about the future of a dairy factory which is facing closure with the loss of about 130 jobs are due to be held later.

Leaders from the GMB union, which represents workers at the Arla Foods site in Settle, North Yorkshire, were expected to discuss alternative options with the firm's executives.

Deanne Ferguson, from the GMB, said: "I've been really struck by the level of determination and the amount of cross-political party working that is going into the campaign to keep those jobs in Settle."

Arla, which plans to close the factory at the end of 2026, said supporting its colleagues through the consultation process continued to be the company's main priority.

Arla is consulting on a plan announced in February to move more of its operations to Scotland, which it said would "strengthen our manufacturing network and futureproof our dairy production in the UK".

However, the firm "remains committed to being a major employer in the Yorkshire region", a spokesperson for the company said.

However, the GMB has called on Arla to consider other options, including whether the firm could relocate to a different site in North Yorkshire.

Working with Conservative-led North Yorkshire Council and Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith, Ms Ferguson said the union was urging Arla to look at seven alternative sites, all near its Settle factory.

Ms Ferguson, GMB regional organiser for Yorkshire, said "a set of constructive counter-proposals" had been suggested to the firm's bosses.

"We hope Arla will continue to engage with them and go on to make the right decision by keeping their factory - and the jobs - in North Yorkshire," she said.

Sir Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, said he was working to persuade Arla that staying in North Yorkshire was best both for the long-term future of the company and the local community.

Settle was a "thriving" Dales town and Arla was a leading employer, with some families having more than one member working at the site, the MP said.

"There is also the supply chain, the companies and shops and organisations that support the plant," he added.

"It has been in place for many, many years and is a key part of manufacturing and processing in our local area."

Elected mayor David Skaith said he was "deeply concerned" about the risk to jobs at Arla and the impact the proposed closure of the site would have on Settle.

"We stand ready to support the workers, but the priority is keeping the jobs," he said.

"I'll be meeting Arla representatives on Monday, alongside the GMB, to share my concern directly with them."

An Arla spokesperson said the consultation into the firm's plans was ongoing, involving all colleagues affected by the proposals.

"We are continuing to engage with the GMB union, employee representatives and local authorities," they added.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.