Union warns of Boots closures

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The GMB has written to health secretary Patricia Hewitt seeking assurances that ministers will do all the can to prevent closures.

General secretary Paul Kenny said: "I am writing to draw to your attention the concerns of GMB members, particularly those in outlying areas, that if the £10 billion private equity deal for Boots goes ahead the company will be loaded with debt and will be forced to close stores."

Mr Kenny urged the government to ask Stafano Pessina, the vice chairman of Boots who is part of an expected private equity bid how the "sums add up" for tax payers given that the company supplies medicines to the NHS.

"GMB members would also like to know how many of their local pharmacies, which have served local communities for many decades will be forced to close to pay the interest bills. GMB members cannot see how the sums add up without the closure of branches.

"The government cannot stand aside while jobs and services to local communities are put at risk for the benefit of the multi-millionaire elite."

The union has drawn up a list of Boots pharmacies across the country the union believes would be threatened with closure.