Novartis plans 190 job cuts at Speke

PHARMACEUTICAL group Novartis is planning to cut 190 jobs at its flu vaccine plant in Speke, Merseyside.

The company employs around 700 staff at the site producing flu vaccines and a swine flu treatment.

Novartis wants to make the plant a centre of excellence for bulk vaccine production but intends to transfer the packing of medicines for distribution to a site in Italy.

A consultation process with staff has begun and the company said it hopes to redeploy as many workers as possible.

In a statement it said: “The proposals are part of a broad strategic plan to ensure Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is competitive in the long-term and can bring innovative and affordable vaccines to our patients.

“To help achieve this, and establish a more competitive and sustainable cost base, we are proposing the closure of one of three production buildings.”