Uni-levered out Brexit blamed for giant’s decision to scrap its UK HQ

THE Government was slammed yesterday as Marmite maker Unilever confirmed plans to ditch its UK headquarters after nearly 90 years.

The industry giant behind Dove soap and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has two head offices – London and Rotterdam.

It claims it is switching to having just one legal base in Holland to “simplify” the business, but critics reckon Brexit was behind its decision, along with a loss of confidence in the Tories.

Unilever insisted all 7,300 UK workers would be unaffected, with two of its three global divisions here. The firm is the UK’S third biggest listed by stock market value, worth £105billion.

Chief executive Paul Polman said the numbers of staff moving to Rotterdam would be very small. “We will continue to invest in both countries,” he said.

But critics rejected Unilever’s claim that the decision was not linked to Britain leaving the EU. Eloise Todd, from the group Best for Britain, said: “The Brexodus of businesses has begun and it’s started with one of the biggest.”

Rebecca Long-bailey, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, called it “another blow for the Prime Minister”. She added: “Businesses are quickly

Oil = $65.20 losing confidence in this government.”

Meanwhile, union Unite claimed Unilever’s move was to provide stronger protection from foreign takeovers in the wake of its bruising battle to avoid being bought by US giant Heinz last year.

Unite’s national officer for Unilever, Rhys Mccarthy, said it highlighted “the UK’S toothless takeover laws which leave employers fighting predatory takeovers by vulture capitalists with one hand tied behind their back.

“Theresa May has talked about toughening up rules, but done little.”

Unilever employs 3,100 people in the Netherlands and 169,000 worldwide.