Jobs axe to fall on 1,000-plus at BAE Systems, Sky reports

More than 1,000 jobs are set to be axed by BAE Systems later this week with the Warton planemaking plant in Lancashire heavily affected, according to reports today.

Sky News was reporting this morning that it had learned of the job cuts, with the company's new chief executive, Charles Woodburn, also "trimming" its workforce at other locations.

According to Sky, insiders said the number of jobs being lost would number "well over 1,000", although the precise figure was unclear.

Jobs are also understood to be under threat at BAE Systems’ Samlesbury operation in the county.

Brexit is not believed to be a factor in the move, according to the Sky News report.

It said it was understood the decision related largely to the sluggish pace of production of the Eurofighter Typhoon and uncertainty around the timing of a potentially large Saudi Arabian deal.

Lancashire is the UK’s number one region for aerospace employment, with  around 17,000 people – including the workforce at Samlesbury and Warton – directly employed in the sector. In a statement today BAE Systems said: “BAE Systems continually reviews its operations to make sure we are performing as effectively and efficiently as possible, delivering our commitments to existing customers and ensuring we are best placed to secure future business. If and when there are any changes proposed we are committed to communicating with our employees and their representatives first.”