BAE Systems announces plans to cut 400 jobs in Brough

BAE Systems has announced proposals to cut almost 2,000 jobs across its aerospace and maritime divisions as part of plans to become a “more streamlined, de-layered organisation.”

Two sites in Yorkshire are among those to be affected by the 1,915 redundancies, which accounts for nearly 6% of BAE’s 33,000-strong UK workforce.

The biggest job cuts will be in the military air business, with 1,400 jobs set to be lost across five sites over the next three years.

Among these will be 400 jobs in Brough, East Yorkshire, and a further 245 roles across RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, and RAF Marham.

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said: “BAE Systems is a world leader in technology, advanced manufacturing and engineering and our diverse portfolio provides a strong platform for future growth.

“The organisational changes we are announcing today accelerate our evolution to a more streamlined, de-layered organisation, with a sharper competitive edge and a renewed focus on technology.

“These actions will further strengthen our company as we deliver our strategy in a changing environment.”

Unite union has branded this announcement as “devastatingly short sighted”, calling BAE’s job cuts a “betrayal” of its workforce.

Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary, added: “These planned job cuts will not only undermine Britain’s sovereign defence capability, but devastate communities across the UK who rely on these skilled jobs and the hope of a decent future they give to future generations.

“Unite will not stand by and allow the defence of our nation to be outsourced abroad. These devastatingly short sighted cuts will harm communities, jobs and skills. Unite will fight for every job and support every community under threat in both BAE’s aerospace and marine divisions.”