Stephen Morgan, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, has this evening written to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to express his concerns regarding the recently announced job losses at BAE Systems and potential impact in Portsmouth.
In his letter, Mr Morgan called on the Government to “show that it values the talents of those who work in our defence manufacturing industry by addressing the uncertainty felt by the military’s commercial partners’ and ‘deliver the long-term defence strategy necessary to save these jobs”.
It was announced today that almost 2,000 jobs will be lost up and down the country, approximately 350 of which will be in Portsmouth. There have been calls for the Government to ensure that skills are not lost from the defence industry.
Stephen Morgan MP, told the Prime Minister:
“Portsmouth’s dockyard workers have a proud history of serving our country and Navy; they deserve far better than to be forced into redundancy as victims of the managed decline of our great military.
‘It is vital to the UK’s military and economic future that we retain and grow the skilled workforce currently engaged in the industry”.
Mr Morgan today met with a representative of BAE and has been in contact with unions and Government ministers about the announcement. He also attended the chamber for the urgent question of his colleague Mark Hendrick MP.
Stephen’s letter also stated:
“I am yet to be convinced of BAE Systems’ justification that these job losses represent a normal corporate restructuring. After all, BAE Systems are not in a normal market position.
They enjoy a near monopoly and therefore owe their employees and the Government a special responsibility.
I would hope that as one of BAE’s largest customers, the Government can exert suitable pressure in advocating for their workforce”.
