Friday, November 8, 2013

Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney to meet BAE directors

Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney to meet BAE directors

Scotland's deputy first minister and finance secretary are to meet directors and union representatives at the Scotstoun shipyard.
It follows an announcement of a major restructuring by BAE, which runs Scotstoun and the nearby Govan yard.
About 800 jobs are expected to go in Scotland, although a detailed breakdown of where the axe will fall has not yet been given.
BAE is to cut a further 900 jobs at its Portsmouth site.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary John Swinney will meet BAE Systems directors and union representatives during their visit on Friday morning.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael visited the Govan shipyard on Thursday.
Shipbuilding is to end completely at BAE's yard at Portsmouth, while the two Clyde yards have been earmarked for building the Royal Navy's new Type 26 warships.
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the designs for the new ships would not be finalised until the end of next year, which would be after the Scottish independence referendum on 18 September.
Mr Carmichael has previously argued Scotland would find it "difficult" to win UK government shipbuilding contracts if the country votes for independence.
But the Scottish government has dismissed suggestions that a 'Yes' vote would put future shipyard orders in doubt and said joint procurement of Type 26 vessels could be possible, with Ms Sturgeon accusing her political rivals of trying to "blackmail" Scots into voting 'No' in next year's independence referendum.

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