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BAE Systems 'to axe more than 1,000 jobs' | BAE Systems 'to axe more than 1,000 jobs' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 1,000 jobs are set to be axed by defence contractor BAE Systems, the BBC understands. | More than 1,000 jobs are set to be axed by defence contractor BAE Systems, the BBC understands. |
The firm is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday regarding the cuts, which are thought to mainly affect its two plants in Lancashire. | The firm is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday regarding the cuts, which are thought to mainly affect its two plants in Lancashire. |
John Cameron, deputy chairman of the union Unite, said it was concerned about a "lack of work going forward". | |
Up to 10,000 people work at the Warton and Samlesbury plants, where aircraft assembly takes place. | |
The cuts are believed to centre on the lack of orders for the Eurofighter Typhoon on which 5,000 staff work. | |
'Reviews operations' | |
Warton and Samlesbury sites are involved in making parts and the final assembly of the Typhoon fighter. | |
BAE is yet to make a specific announcement, but a spokesman said the business "continually reviews its operations to make sure we are performing as effectively and efficiently as possible". | BAE is yet to make a specific announcement, but a spokesman said the business "continually reviews its operations to make sure we are performing as effectively and efficiently as possible". |
"If and when there are any changes proposed we are committed to communicating with our employees and their representatives first," he said. | |
Asked about the reports, Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said it would be wrong to pre-empt any announcement by the firm. | |
However, he said: "We do have a long track record of working with BAE Systems and with its works and we'll continue to do so." | |
'Other opportunities' | |
Fylde Conservative MP Mark Menzies said it was a "deeply unsettling time" for BAE workers. | |
But he hoped it would end up the same as in November 2015 when hundreds of redundancies were announced" but few people left. | |
"In reality, very few people left the business as they were deployed on other projects," he said. | |
He said the firm would look at other opportunities for the workers, such as on BAE's nuclear submarine and shipbuilding programmes. | |
Mr Menzies said: "Potentially lucrative contracts on the way from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others could help sustain these jobs." | |
He said it was "vital" the Typhoon production line slowed down "to prevent it from having to stop and be restarted in the future". |