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Another 120 cosmetics staff to go Another 120 cosmetics staff to go
(9 minutes later)
Almost the entire remaining workforce at a cosmetics factory in south Wales are being told they will be out of work on Friday.Almost the entire remaining workforce at a cosmetics factory in south Wales are being told they will be out of work on Friday.
The decision follows unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the Budlepack COSI plant in Maesteg, Bridgend county.The decision follows unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the Budlepack COSI plant in Maesteg, Bridgend county.
The firm went into administration at the end of November, laying off 263 workers.The firm went into administration at the end of November, laying off 263 workers.
Just 23 people are being kept on at the plant, an employer since the 1960s.Just 23 people are being kept on at the plant, an employer since the 1960s.
Alistair Wardell, from the administrators Grant Thornton, said on Wednesday: "Unfortunately we have had no choice but to take these measures.Alistair Wardell, from the administrators Grant Thornton, said on Wednesday: "Unfortunately we have had no choice but to take these measures.
"We have maintained a regular dialogue with workforce representatives, the relevant trade union and local agencies, while we sought to secure a purchaser."We have maintained a regular dialogue with workforce representatives, the relevant trade union and local agencies, while we sought to secure a purchaser.
"We continue to do everything we can to ensure the fullest support for affected staff at this difficult time.""We continue to do everything we can to ensure the fullest support for affected staff at this difficult time."
The announcement comes as official statistics released on Wednesday show that unemployment in Wales has risen by 14,000 in the three months between August and October.The announcement comes as official statistics released on Wednesday show that unemployment in Wales has risen by 14,000 in the three months between August and October.
The total number of those out of work now stands at 94,000, a rate of 6.6%.The total number of those out of work now stands at 94,000, a rate of 6.6%.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said it was a "bleak winter" for nearly 100,000 families.Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said it was a "bleak winter" for nearly 100,000 families.
"Despite numerous economic summits and countless initiatives ministers seem to have no idea how to stop rising unemployment," she said."Despite numerous economic summits and countless initiatives ministers seem to have no idea how to stop rising unemployment," she said.
"Wales is being hit harder than any other part of the United Kingdom in this economic downturn. As a consequence it will take longer to recover from it.""Wales is being hit harder than any other part of the United Kingdom in this economic downturn. As a consequence it will take longer to recover from it."
Meanwhile, newspaper and magazine distributor Smiths News is to relocate its business from Cardiff and Bridgend with a £1m investment in Newport.
It will take over the old LG Electronics factory in February and the distribution centre will also include a recycling facility.