MPs From Region Quiz Minister Over BAE Job Losses At Brough

MPs from the region have today sought assurances from the government relating to news that 400 jobs are under threat at BAE Systems in Brough.

Claire Perry, the Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Minister took questions from concerned MPs over job losses in their constituencies.

While MPs sought assurances the Minster kept repeating how the Government spends almost £4bn a year with the British firm BAE Systems.

Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Kingston Upon Hull North told the Minster that
‘She would win no friends in East Yorkshire by saying that people who might be made redundant can go and get jobs in the renewable sector, we need both.’

The Hull North MP added that she felt the Minister was not taking our sovereign capability seriously if these jobs go, and what is she going to do about that and the national security.

Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Hull West and Hessle said the news of jobs losses was devastating to communities in Hull and the East Riding. She asked the Minister a simple question;

‘Will she choose to save jobs by bringing forward the order for Hawks for the Red Arrows, or will she choose to see 400 jobs go.’

The Minister responded by not answering the question but highlighting that she was told that by 2015 the county of Yorkshire had created more jobs than the whole of France.

Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness issued a statement in which he says he has written to BAE Systems, he said;

“I am concerned with today’s announcement, which threatens up to 400 skilled workers at BAE’s Brough site with redundancy over next two years.

“It is vitally important that BAE accepts their responsibilities towards their employees, and I have written to them to ensure that they are giving workers the information and support they need.

“Compulsory redundancies are never welcome, and I will be pushing BAE to provide their employees, many of whom live in my constituency, with adequate options and fair mitigation after this regrettable decision.”