DOZENS of jobs are set to go at a multi-national chemical company’s Bradford plant, with the firm blaming Covid-19 for the job losses.

Solenis, based in Low Moor, employs around 600 people but some of those jobs are set to go, with some being transferred to sites in Poland and India

A total of 40 jobs are being cut at the Bradford site and one in Grimsby, and those affected have been informed with the unions consulted.

Solenis has blamed the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown for the job cuts, which it said are "necessary for the ongoing sustainability of the site".

A spokesperson for Solenis said: “On Tuesday, September 15, Solenis announced a number of cost saving measures for its Bradford and Grimsby sites.

"These measures are being implemented in response to Covid-19 and are necessary to improve the sites’ competitiveness.

"These measures include a reduction of numbers at the Bradford and Grimsby sites by 40 positions. Actual job losses will be minimised by not filling open vacancies, therefore the proposal is likely to result in a total of 16 redundancies.

"These include a number of roles that are being transferred to Global Shared Services in Poland and India.

"All teams and individuals impacted by the proposals have been informed. Full consultation with the GMB union will now commence on the measures, with the aim of preserving as many jobs as possible and mitigating the impact on individuals.

"2020 has been an extraordinary year and Solenis has been impacted like many other businesses. These actions are necessary for the ongoing sustainability of the site."