Shadow Minister calls for BAE jobs action

Speaking on a visit to the BAE Systems plant at Brough, near Hull, where almost 900 workers are facing the axe, Mr Murphy said the Government had a duty to explore options for maintaining production at the site, which is being threatened by widespread cuts in the company’s military aircraft division.

The losses would end almost 100 years of aircraft manufacturing at Brough, which is thought to be the oldest factory of its kind in continuous production in the world.

Mr Murphy said: “The workers here have helped build remarkable pieces of engineering and ingenuity; the country is proud of them and they should not be dumped on the dole.

“Brough has an enormous history and it should have a big future.

“The Government should look at what it can do by changing some of its orders around.

“The Government can’t just sit back and read about it in the newspapers, it’s got to get involved and play its part. It doesn’t have a magic wand but it’s got to show some get up and go and show its commitment to manufacturing.”

The MP met managers at the site as well as unions and staff who are campaigning against the cuts.

He was shown thick files compiled by the workforce which include the personal stories of nearly every employee involved. The workers plan to take the books to Downing Street as part of their campaign.

Noting that one of the workers was described as “new” – having only been with the company for 28 years – Mr Murphy said: “It’s one of the most innovative campaigns I’ve ever seen. It’s not just 899 jobs, it’s 899 families. Will that child have to move to a new school and form new friendships?”

Asked what the mood of the workforce was, Mr Murphy used the Scottish word “scunnered”, which covers a range of emotions from disgusted to fed up.

He added: “There’s a feeling of anger about it but there’s also a resilience based on the fact they do brilliant work. It’s not over yet.”

The fight to save the jobs will be discussed in a defence debate in the Commons next Thursday.