GENERAL union GMB has warned that “livelihoods and communities” are at risk from the proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s.

The union said that findings by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) suggesting the merger of the supermarkets could see less choice and higher prices for customers were “staggering.”

The CMA said that the plans could result in a lessening of competition between supermarkets in 629 places, convenience stores in 65 places, and delivery depots in 290 places.

The “divestment” of hundreds of stores and depots has been suggested by the CMA as a remedy to these problems.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “GMB will absolutely oppose any merger that would see hundreds of stores and scores of depots put at risk.

“What’s often lost in talk of share prices and ‘divestment packages’ is that this is also people’s lives, livelihoods and communities we’re talking about.

“The price shoppers and workers face paying for this merger is simply too high.”