UPM said the proposed cuts would affect around 100 staff at each mill. The continued measures are to improve competitiveness "through more flexible and cost-efficient ways to operate".

Arto Lampinen, senior vice president of manufacturing at UPM's Paper Business Group, said: "The business environment of the pulp and paper industry continues to be challenging.

"The purpose of the planned restructuring is significant improvement in cost competitiveness and productivity in the long term."

A spokesman for UPM said that the changes in Finland would not have an impact on imports into the UK. 

"It is an ongoing restructure of the business and we are looking at where we can make improvements," he said. "We will continue to service our customers as usual."

The announcement is the latest in a series of large production curtailments made by the company, which has faced increased market pressures from weak demand and overcapacity.