ONE of Ulverston biggest employers, GlaxoSmithKline, has announced more than half its workforce could lose their jobs.

The pharmaceutical giant said today 191 of its staff are at risk of redundancy.

The company said the sterile injecables part of the plant would close because it was not cost effective, but the tablet manufacturing department would remain and see investment.

The company announced in July 2017 it was not be proceeding with a planned £350m biopharmacuetical expansion at its plant in North Lonsdale Road.

Responding to the GSK job losses announcement today, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “This is a terrible blow and I am gutted for our brilliant workforce in Ulverston who have shown that they have got world-class skills and have been engaging in this uncertain review period in good faith.

“These employees are being let down by the company’s failure to have properly maintained the infrastructure of the steriles part of the business over the years - they deserve so much better.

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“It is important that the company are insisting there will be a sustainable future for the other part of the Ulverston business and are committing to the area for the long term. We will hold them to that and do everything that we can in the weeks and months ahead to support those who face losing their jobs.

“But there is no getting around that this is a really sad day for the workforce and wider community after the optimism generated through the review process.”

Following the announcement Mr Woodcock has arranged for a special meeting of the GSK Ulverston Task Force to take place tomorrow (Friday).

Westmorland and Lonsdale mP Tim Farron said: “This is incredibly sad news and a massive blow to the south Cumbrian economy.

“The tragic irony is that this comes just days after the Northern Powerhouse minister visited Ulverston.

“This is a moment for the Government to prove that the Powerhouse does mean something to anyone north of Preston and provide an investment package to help those who are set to lose their jobs and create new business opportunities in south Cumbria.”