New horizons for BAE plant

Though the defence contractor attributes these cuts to the global economic downturn, rather than the MoD’s own strategic review, job losses on this scale inevitably threaten the future viability of the Brough plant.

The BAE unions recognise this. So, too, do local MPs David Davis and Alan Johnson – political opponents working together in the pursuit of potential deals that could save many posts. They are right to do so. BAE’s engineers are amongst the best in the world and it will be almost impossible to replace their expertise at a later date if their specialist engineering skills, accrued over many decades, are lost to the country.

As such, it is paramount that Dr Fox’s successor, Philip Hammond, and Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, heed the advice of Professor Christopher Bovis, the Government’s highly-respected procurement adviser.

Noting that there will still be a need for the Hawk trainer jet after the world economic maelstrom, the University of Hull academic says this engineering expertise needs to be retained in some form, if only to make it more difficult for BAE to relocate assembly work to China or another emerging economy.

His solution is for the MoD, and others, to look at the possibility of other engineering orders being awarded to the Brough site as an interim measure.

Though this could never replace production of the Hawk, and the pride that this entails, it would, at the very least, provide a financial lifeline to this base until BAE Systems can make a longer-term appraisal of the economy. It would also signal that this Government is committed to British manufacturing after Derby-based Bombardier lost out on a major train contract while the aforementioned Mr Hammond was in charge of the Department for Transport.

His influence may be limited, but this should not preclude Mr Hammond from attempting to secure the best possible deal for Brough. Those whose livelihoods are at risk deserve nothing less.