Yacht company layoffs to continue until late January

A luxury yacht company has said 91 of its employees will continue to be laid off until 27 January.

Sunseeker announced in December that "restrictions in its supply chain" meant some staff would be temporarily laid off.

Both Unite the Union and Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan heavily criticised the move when it was first announced.

The affected employees would be paid 50% of their hourly rate during their layoff period, the company said.

In a statement released on Friday, Sunseeker said "operational issues" had delayed their production schedule in December.

In a letter sent to an employee on 20 December and seen by the BBC, the company said it had said "cash-flow challenges" meant a "re-evaluation" of its workforce would be necessary until early January 2025.

Sunseeker said it had decided to extend the temporarily layoffs until 27 January after reviewing the situation.

"It's important to note that no permanent employee has lost their job," it said.

"We reiterate how important all our staff, their knowledge, skills and craftsmanship are to us. We appreciate their loyalty and patience at this time."

The company employees 2,150 people in Dorset.

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