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Submarine yard 'to cut 600 jobs' Submarines yard to cut 600 jobs
(about 1 hour later)
Devonport Dockyard, which maintains, upgrades and fuels the Royal Navy's submarines, is shedding 600 jobs, the BBC has learnt. Devonport Dockyard, which maintains, upgrades and fuels the Royal Navy's submarines, is shedding 600 jobs.
Babcock Marine, which owns the Plymouth dockyard, is expected to axe the posts in the next financial year. Babcock Marine, which owns the Plymouth dockyard, confirmed that it will axe the posts in the next financial year.
The firm, which employs about 4,300 people at the site, bought the yard from Devonport Management Limited (DML) for £350m last year.The firm, which employs about 4,300 people at the site, bought the yard from Devonport Management Limited (DML) for £350m last year.
It is due to unveil its plans at its first employee presentation later.
Devonport has been bracing itself for job losses since 2005 when DML predicted a downturn in submarine work.Devonport has been bracing itself for job losses since 2005 when DML predicted a downturn in submarine work.
The yard's work has been particularly affected by the decommissioning of Trafalgar class submarines.The yard's work has been particularly affected by the decommissioning of Trafalgar class submarines.
DEVONPORT DOCKYARD Founded in 1691Trident subs refitting baseCovers 330 acresEmploys 4,300Owned by Babcock MarineDEVONPORT DOCKYARD Founded in 1691Trident subs refitting baseCovers 330 acresEmploys 4,300Owned by Babcock Marine
Del Northcott of the Prospect union which represents engineers, managers and administration staff at the yard, called on Babcock to cut the number of contractors at the yard, which is about 500.Del Northcott of the Prospect union which represents engineers, managers and administration staff at the yard, called on Babcock to cut the number of contractors at the yard, which is about 500.
"We need to get rid of all the contractors first and our staff should be retrained to do those specialist roles."We need to get rid of all the contractors first and our staff should be retrained to do those specialist roles.
"Then hopefully the number of redundancies can be reduced.""Then hopefully the number of redundancies can be reduced."
Devonport has suffered a series of job cuts since 1987 when it employed 13,000 people.Devonport has suffered a series of job cuts since 1987 when it employed 13,000 people.
But even with the latest job cuts it will still be Plymouth's biggest employer.But even with the latest job cuts it will still be Plymouth's biggest employer.
Mr Northcott said: "These job cuts have been rumoured since 2005.Mr Northcott said: "These job cuts have been rumoured since 2005.
"But it will still hit Plymouth hard because it is going to take a lot of money out of the economy.""But it will still hit Plymouth hard because it is going to take a lot of money out of the economy."
'Fast-changing''Fast-changing'
Devonport's origins date back to 1691, when William of Orange commissioned the building of a new dockyard to support the Royal Navy in the Western Approaches.Devonport's origins date back to 1691, when William of Orange commissioned the building of a new dockyard to support the Royal Navy in the Western Approaches.
Its main role now is refitting Trident submarines, making it reliant on the future of the nuclear deterrent.Its main role now is refitting Trident submarines, making it reliant on the future of the nuclear deterrent.
But Plymouth MP Linda Gilroy said the yard faced a bright future if it could continue to diversify.But Plymouth MP Linda Gilroy said the yard faced a bright future if it could continue to diversify.
Last year DML signed a £30m contract with the Ministry of Defence to build new patrol vehicles.Last year DML signed a £30m contract with the Ministry of Defence to build new patrol vehicles.
She said: "There is a lot we can do to make sure we don't lose quality jobs at the yard.She said: "There is a lot we can do to make sure we don't lose quality jobs at the yard.
"We are living in a fast-changing world and we are in a very good position to benefit.""We are living in a fast-changing world and we are in a very good position to benefit."