BAE Systems to axe a further 642 jobs

BAE Systems is to cut a further 642 jobs following a drop in demand for its services.

The jobs will be lost at eight sites across the UK in BAE's integrated systems technologies business, which produces surveillance and command systems.

In April, the defence giant announced it would shut three plants, leading to the loss of 500 jobs, but this figure later rose to 700 jobs. In September, BAE then revealed it was axing a further 1,116 jobs and closing a plant in Cheshire.

The latest round of job cuts will affect sites in Portsmouth, Chelmsford, Christchurch, Isle of Wight, Filton, Frimley (Surrey), Hillend (Fife), and south-west London.

Rory Fisher, managing director of the BAE business affected, said: "We have a responsibility to address a reduction in our forecast workload and manage our cost base to remain competitive and meet our customers' future requirements.

"We will work with our employees and their representatives to explore ways of mitigating these potential job losses and we will ensure employees are fully supported throughout this process."

The systems business affected in the latest announcement employs 3,700 workers at 11 sites across the UK.