A BAKERY has responded to claims of a coronavirus outbreak at its factory.

A source told the Telegraph & Argus there had been several positive cases at CSM Bakery on Cutler Heights Lane.

A spokesperson for the bakery said environmental health officers visited the site and were happy with the measures.

The person, who did not wish to be named, claimed: "CSM fail to pay staff members who have previously been off due to symptoms of covid-19 so feel like there is no other option but to go to work.

"They refuse to shut the factory and continue to put other people's lives at risk by making them continue to work."

In response to the claims, the company said it offers full pay to all employees for their first two weeks of absence as a result of covid-19.

After this period, it switches to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

A spokesperson for the bakery said: "CSM is a major producer of bakery ingredients and products, as such it’s essential in keeping bread and bakery products on the shelves. Following government guidelines in this rapidly changing environment we are working with our employees to ensure a safe working environment through this crisis.

"Environmental Health have visited the site recently and were happy with the Covid-19 measures put in place.

"With regards to pay, the company pay’s full pay to all employees for their first 2 weeks of absence related to Covid-19, any other time off is SSP which is the minimum requirement.

"Bradford's infection rates continue to rise even under the present Government lock down and they now stand at 585 per 100,000 of population which has increased from 496 in 7 days, an increase of 17.9%."