BAE Systems plans more than 1,000 UK job cuts as aircraft work declines

BAE Systems has announced the potential closure of another of its sites in the UK, along with likely cuts at three others leading to the loss of up to 1,116 jobs in total.

The UK group said on 15 September that it has "started consultation" regarding the closure of the Woodford Military Air Solutions unit in Cheshire from 2012: a decision attributed to the pending completion of the Nimrod MRA.4 maritime patrol aircraft programme. Such a move would lead to the loss of 630 positions.

BAE Systems is also looking towards cuts of 250 jobs at Samlesbury in Lancashire relating to the end of Airbus work carried out for Spirit Aerosystems (Spirit bought BAE's Aerostructures business unit in 2006); 170 jobs in Warton, Lancashire (relating to Nimrod, Tornado and Hawk programme decreases); and 111 jobs at Farnborough in Hampshire (a result of a downturn in Harrier upgrade work booked over the next two years).

"It has been clear since 2003 that the Woodford site had little future beyond the end of Nimrod MRA.4 production," BAE Systems said in a statement, adding that "the workforce has been kept informed since that time. Despite strenuous efforts to achieve further Nimrod production work there has been none forthcoming. It is intended that there will be a phased run down of the site in line with the production programme."