Bristol jobs at risk in BAE cuts

BAE Systems is planning to axe jobs Bristol after a review of its workload.

The defence giant said it will start consulting on 642 potential job losses across eight sites in its Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) business.

The other sites affected by the planned cuts are in Portsmouth, Chelmsford, Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Frimley in Surrey, Hillend in Fife and New Malden in south west London.

Rory Fisher, managing director of the business affected by the cuts, said: "We have a responsibility to address a reduction in our forecast workload and manage our cost base to remain competitive and meet our customers' future requirements.

"We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will ensure employees are fully supported throughout this process."

The business affected by the cuts employs 3,700 workers at 11 sites on radar surveillance, command and information systems and underwater systems to UK and overseas defence and security customers.

Union leaders expressed "serious concerns" over the planned job losses.

Hugh Scullion, general secretary of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, said: "This is bad news for the workers and the unions will be working to prevent compulsory redundancies. The staff at Insyte produce cutting edge technology. These are highly skilled jobs which the UK can not afford to lose."

Unite national officer Bernie Hamilton said: "This is bitterly disappointing news. Unite intends to do everything possible to resist compulsory redundancies and ensure the company works hard to mitigate the consequences of these reductions."