This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/bae-systems-job-cuts-confirmation-arms-manufacturer-typhoon-2000-warton-a7992091.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BAE Systems announces it is cutting almost 2,000 jobs BAE Systems announces it is cutting almost 2,000 jobs
(35 minutes later)
Britain’s largest arms manufacturer has announced that it is slashing up to almost 2,000 jobs, largely as a result of a slowdown in orders for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.Britain’s largest arms manufacturer has announced that it is slashing up to almost 2,000 jobs, largely as a result of a slowdown in orders for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
BAE Systems, which currently employs around 34,600 people across the UK, said on Tuesday that the cuts would predominantly affect two of its plants in Lancashire. BAE Systems, which currently employs around 34,600 people across the UK, said that the cuts would predominantly affect two of its plants in Lancashire.
Speculation that the cuts would be announced had already emerged on Monday. It said that the move would help “boost competitiveness, accelerate technology innovation and improve operational excellence from a more streamlined business”.
The company has for months been grappling with a slowdown in orders for the Eurofighter Typhoons. Qatar last month agreed to buy 24 of the jets, but an expected order from Saudi Arabia failed to materialise and the Typhoon has reportedly won fewer orders so far in 2017 than a rival fighter jet built by France’s Dassault Aviation. The cut will largely affect its military air, information and maritime services workforce. Up to 750 jobs will be slashed at its Warton and Samlesbury plants in Lancashire and up to 400 people will be cut at its plant in Brough, East Yorkshire. Other reductions in staff will be made across plants in Leeming, Portsmouth & Solent and across London and Guildford.
Anticipation of the cuts already on Monday prompted calls for the Government to step in. “I recognise this will be difficult news for some of our employees and we are committed to do everything we can to support those affected,” said chief executive Charles Woodburn. He added, however, that the decision to slash staff was “necessary and the right thing to do”.
“The UK government can end the uncertainty surrounding the future of thousands of British BAE defence jobs at a stroke by committing to building the next generation fighter jets here in the UK,” said Unite Union assistant General Secretary Steve Turner. Speculation that the cuts would be announced already emerged on Monday.
For months the company has been grappling with a slowdown in orders for the Eurofighter Typhoons. Qatar last month agreed to buy 24 of the jets, but an expected order from Saudi Arabia failed to materialise and the Typhoon has reportedly won fewer orders so far in 2017 than a rival fighter jet built by France’s Dassault Aviation.
On Tuesday, BAE said the timing of future orders is always uncertain. To ensure production continuity and competitive costs between the completion of current contracts and anticipated new orders, it said that it plans to reduce the assembly rate of Typhoons, as well as rates of production of it Hawk aircraft.
It said that it expects to cut around 1,400 roles overall within the military air division, across five sites over the next three years. Around 375 roles will be cut in the maritime services business. 
Anticipation of the sweeping cuts already on Monday prompted calls for the Government to step in.
On Tuesday, Unite the Union vowed to fight what it called the "devastatingly short sighted" job losses.
“These planned job cuts will not only undermine Britain’s sovereign defence capability, but devastate communities across the UK who rely on these skilled jobs and the hope of a decent future they give to future generations,” assistant general secretary Steve Turner said.
“The UK Government must take back control of our nation’s defence and with it, play its part in supporting UK defence manufacturing jobs,” he added.
“Too much taxpayers' money earmarked for defence spending is going to factories overseas.”
FTSE 100-listed BAE is among the world’s largest defence companies and employs over 82,000 people globally. FTSE 100-listed BAE is among the world’s largest defence companies and employs over 82,000 people globally. 
In August, the group reported a better than expected 11 per cent rise in half-year core profits to £945m and said it was on track to meet its full-year target.In August, the group reported a better than expected 11 per cent rise in half-year core profits to £945m and said it was on track to meet its full-year target.
At the time, Charles Woodburn, who took over as chief executive from Ian King in July, said that he planned to sharpen operations but saw no reason to change overall strategy of the company. At the time, Mr Woodburn, who took over as chief executive from Ian King in July, said that he planned to sharpen operations but saw no reason to change overall strategy of the company.
But he also said that any new orders of Typhoons were unlikely to impact on the company's bottom line positively for at least 24 months. On Tuesday, the company said that trading in the most recent quarter had been in-line with expectations and that it continues to expect underlying earnings per share for 2017 to be 5 per cent to 10 per cent higher than full-year underlying earnings per share in 2016. It also said that it continues to expect a small reduction in net debt compared with last year. 
BAE’s largest markets are Britain and the US. It also has substantial operations in Saudi Arabia, India and Australia.BAE’s largest markets are Britain and the US. It also has substantial operations in Saudi Arabia, India and Australia.
More follows…