750 out of 3800 staff will lose their jobs by the end of August

Toyota will cut 750 UK jobs at its Burnaston, Derbyshire plant by the end of August.

The Japanese firm employs around 3800 people at the plant and the staff have been informed of Toyota’s intentions. No decision has been yet as to whether the job cuts will be compulsory.

Toyota said in a statement that the cuts were related to production capacity and efficiency and were necessary at this stage if the plant is to become sustainable in the long-term.

Models built at Burnaston include the Avensis and Auris. Production of the Auris hybrid is due to begin shortly.

Last year, Toyota revealed new working conditions at the plant which saw staff paid 10 per cent less for working less hours. But the government-backed scrappage incentive scheme ensured the plant returned to a five-day working week in August.

The full Toyota statement:

"2009 has been a tough year for Toyota Manufacturing UK.

"We already announced to our employees in 2009 that TMUK will move to a single line operation at the Burnaston plant from August 2010. This decision is related to production capacity and efficiency not to production volumes.

"During a meeting with our employee representatives on Monday we confirmed that we will have a headcount surplus of around 750 members from August onwards.

"The key point of Monday’s discussion was how to manage this situation in order to ensure we have a sustainable business for the long term."

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