Union chiefs are incensed because welders are no longer on the UK skills shortages list and the GMB claims there are at least 500 unemployed UK welders currently looking for work.

GMB officials will now meet with Doosan Babcock on Friday to insist the company fills vacancies with UK welders for upcoming repair and maintenance on the Drax and Ferrybridge power stations in North Yorkshire.

GMB regional officer Jimmy Skivington said: “GMB is concerned that, despite several meetings with us about their legal responsibilities, Doosan Babcock still intends to fill some of their jobs for welders on these two sites with non EU labour.

“This is despite this category of welders having been removed from the most recent official Skills Shortage list for the UK. They have advised us that they have already identified a workforce from a non EU country and plan to offer them over 100 jobs.”

Doosan was unavailable for comment.