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BAE to cut possibly more than 1,000 UK shipyard jobs | BAE to cut possibly more than 1,000 UK shipyard jobs |
(35 minutes later) | |
BAE Systems is to cut potentially more than 1,000 jobs from three of its UK shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow and at Portsmouth. | BAE Systems is to cut potentially more than 1,000 jobs from three of its UK shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow and at Portsmouth. |
The BBC has learned that major job losses at the yards will be announced by the company later this week. | The BBC has learned that major job losses at the yards will be announced by the company later this week. |
Some of the jobs being lost may be offset by a contract to build the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship. | Some of the jobs being lost may be offset by a contract to build the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship. |
BAE Systems, however, has yet to announce which of its UK shipyards will be chosen to carry out the work. | BAE Systems, however, has yet to announce which of its UK shipyards will be chosen to carry out the work. |
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the announcement by BAE Systems is expected on Thursday morning and will be followed later that day by a Commons statement from the defence secretary. | BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said the announcement by BAE Systems is expected on Thursday morning and will be followed later that day by a Commons statement from the defence secretary. |
He understands that BAE's Govan shipyard will not close despite the fact that the possibility has been discussed behind the scenes in recent weeks. | He understands that BAE's Govan shipyard will not close despite the fact that the possibility has been discussed behind the scenes in recent weeks. |
He said a well-placed source had told him that the UK government was "acutely conscious of the politics of the Clyde" ahead of next year's referendum on Scottish independence. | He said a well-placed source had told him that the UK government was "acutely conscious of the politics of the Clyde" ahead of next year's referendum on Scottish independence. |
The job losses, he said, will result from the completion of work on the building of two new aircraft carriers and from a huge increase in the costs of that project. | The job losses, he said, will result from the completion of work on the building of two new aircraft carriers and from a huge increase in the costs of that project. |
It emerged on Monday that the UK government is planning to announce that it will need to spend an extra £800m on the carriers, taking the total costs to more than £6bn - double the original estimate. | It emerged on Monday that the UK government is planning to announce that it will need to spend an extra £800m on the carriers, taking the total costs to more than £6bn - double the original estimate. |
Beyond the carriers there are currently no new orders on the books of the BAE's Glasgow yards at Govan and Scotstoun. | Beyond the carriers there are currently no new orders on the books of the BAE's Glasgow yards at Govan and Scotstoun. |
Any job losses, however, may not take effect immediately because some work on the aircraft carriers is planned until 2015. | Any job losses, however, may not take effect immediately because some work on the aircraft carriers is planned until 2015. |
'Significant tension' | 'Significant tension' |
There are currently 3,200 people employed by BAE across Govan and Scotstoun, and 1,200 employed in shipbuilding at Portsmouth. | There are currently 3,200 people employed by BAE across Govan and Scotstoun, and 1,200 employed in shipbuilding at Portsmouth. |
Jamie Webster, convenor of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions at the Govan yard, said he wanted the jobs issue clarified. | Jamie Webster, convenor of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions at the Govan yard, said he wanted the jobs issue clarified. |
He told the BBC: "I do not want to speculate until we get full transparency from BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence over what they have planned for Govan and Scotstoun shipyards. | He told the BBC: "I do not want to speculate until we get full transparency from BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence over what they have planned for Govan and Scotstoun shipyards. |
"The tension in the yard has been significant and it has been difficult for the workforce. They just want to know what is going on. | "The tension in the yard has been significant and it has been difficult for the workforce. They just want to know what is going on. |
"Tomorrow will be a long day waiting for an announcement from the company. | "Tomorrow will be a long day waiting for an announcement from the company. |
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said he was "seeking urgent clarity on the future for both Govan and Scotstoun". | Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said he was "seeking urgent clarity on the future for both Govan and Scotstoun". |
"We have been in dialogue for some time with BAE Systems on the issues surrounding the future of the Clyde shipyards," he said. | "We have been in dialogue for some time with BAE Systems on the issues surrounding the future of the Clyde shipyards," he said. |
"We are awaiting the outcome of BAE's discussions with the Ministry of Defence, and are very alert to the situation concerning both yards." | "We are awaiting the outcome of BAE's discussions with the Ministry of Defence, and are very alert to the situation concerning both yards." |
'Vital jobs' | |
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, whose Glasgow Pollok constituency includes the Govan yard, said: "Everything must be done to ensure shipbuilding on the Clyde continues. | |
"The UK government is the Clyde's biggest customer and I will be seeking urgent talks to make sure that continues. | |
"This will be a particularly worrying time for the workforce and their families but I will work with anyone to make sure we can keep these jobs. | |
"It's times like these that we all need to come together, put differences aside and fight to secure these vital jobs." | |
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is a Glasgow MSP, said: "The current speculation over shipyard jobs is unhelpful and destabilising to both the workforce and their families. | |
"BAE's shipbuilders on the Clyde are a highly professional, motivated and loyal workforce and they deserve clear answers from the company about their future." |