Dockyard staff under threat

Defence giant BAE Systems is reviewing its warship business, raising fears of job losses at sites including Portsmouth dockyard where 1,500 people work.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Jan 2012, 10:12 BST

The GMB union said consultants had been hired as part of a study into the shipbuilding business.

Regional organiser Gary Cook said there was only a few years’ work left at Portsmouth, with the prospect of winning orders to build merchant ships “not great” because of subsidies in other countries, particularly the Far East.

“BAE is looking for naval work from other nations. There are opportunities and the UK is very well placed because we have a reputation that is second to none.”

The company said it was reviewing “how best to retain the capability to deliver and support complex warships in the UK”.