COMMUNITY leaders have sprung into action after the shock announcement that Dyson is planning to axe more than a quarter of its UK jobs.

Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson is to cut around 1,000 of its roughly 3,500 jobs in the UK, it told staff in an email yesterday, Tuesday, July 9. 

The company, which also makes air treatment and hair care technology, also has sites in Hullavington, London and Bristol.

Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Dr Roz Savage said she is seeking an urgent meeting with Dyson’s leadership.

“I am deeply concerned that Dyson is planning to cut more than 1,000 jobs,” she said.

“Major corporations have responsibilities to their shareholders, staff and the local communities in which they are based.

“The impact on the laid-off staff, their families and the local communities of Malmesbury and surrounding villages could be serious.”

Dyson was founded in 1991 by inventor Sir James Dyson, who is currently ranked fifth on the Sunday Times Rich List with a personal wealth of £20.8 billion.

Earlier this year in January, Sir Dyson was given the green light to donate £6 million to Malmesbury Primary School after a row with Wiltshire Council. 

Initial plans include building a centre for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) centre, seven classrooms and a school hall.

Meanwhile, the company also previously announced plans to invest £100m in a new research and development hub in Bristol.

Dyson chief executive Hanno Kirner told employees in an email yesterday: “We have grown quickly and, like all companies, we review our global structures from time to time to ensure we are prepared for the future.

“As such, we are proposing changes to our organisation, which may result in redundancies.

“Dyson operates in increasingly fierce and competitive global markets, in which the pace of innovation and change is only accelerating.”

“I intend to hold the Dyson leadership and Government Ministers' feet to the fire"

Dr Savage added: “I worked in business for 11 years and understand the dynamics of the global market. 

“That said, I am seeking an urgent meeting with Dyson’s leadership for clarification on their plans to support the staff who have been made redundant, understand how they will mitigate the economic impacts on Malmesbury and surrounding areas, and seek reassurance that funding is secure for the Dyson Foundation’s promised £6 million donation to Malmesbury Primary School to fund a cutting-edge Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Centre, which will also made accessible to nearby primary schools.

“I will also be seeking assurances from the new Labour Government that their promised industrial strategy will prioritise exactly the kind of technology and innovation referenced in the Dyson announcement.

“We need UK-founded companies like Dyson to commit to long-term investment in innovation rather than short-term profit extraction. 

“I intend to hold the Dyson leadership and Government Ministers' feet to the fire to make sure they do just that.”

“Deeply concerning news"

Wiltshire Councillor for Malmesbury Gavin Grant said: “Deeply concerning news about the potential redundancies at Dyson that may impact local individuals, families and the wider community of Malmesbury.  

"I have been in touch with our new MP Roz Savage.

“We will be seeking clarity from the Dyson leadership on the actions they are taking and reassurance that they are providing full support to those affected, will continue with the commitments they have made to Malmesbury, including at the primary school and have an action plan to minimise the impact on our town's businesses and wider community.”