SCOTTISH firm Baxters Food Group have confirmed the number of staff layoffs.

The 150-year-old Scottish firm, which produces food products such as canned soups and sauces, confirmed to The National that the company has made a number of staff layoffs due to “unprecedented inflationary pressures”, but didn't confirm the specific number.

Now, the company have done so, telling The National that "less than ten" will be cut group-wide. This includes just the one redundancy at their headquarters in Fochabers. 

The National:

A previous statement from Baxters read: “Like many organisations, we are experiencing unprecedented inflationary pressures which has impacted our business performance. As a result we have made the difficult but necessary decision to make a small number of reductions within our workforce.”

The National:

Commenting before the numbers were known, local MSP, Richard Lochhead (above) said it was "concerning", adding: "No doubt many workers and their families will be extremely worried, especially given the difficult financial situation and the pressure on household incomes at the moment.

“I’m aware that Baxters have stated the layoffs were due to ‘unprecedented inflationary pressure’ which of course highlights the serious impact of the high inflation we’ve been experiencing across the UK in the last few years.

"I will be seeking clarity from Baxters as to the nature of the job losses and will strongly urge them to ensure all options that prevents any job losses are fully explored.”

Local MP, Douglas Ross, said that given just one Fochabers employee was losing their job, he didn’t wish to comment.