Guards key defence role

DEFENCE giant BAE Systems has overhauled working practices to maintain its critical national defence and security role despite Covid-19.

The company has changed factory and office layouts and introduced housecleaning regimes, to ensure a safe working environment.

It has also consulted with the Government to prioritise key projects such as its F-35 Lightning fighter jet production.

Around a quarter of the 10,000 workforce at its two Lancashire plants are on site after a two-week shutdown in March to make the changes.

Staff working at home have been given extra-secure IT and support for issues such as schooling, caring responsibilities and isolation. No staff have been furloughed.

BAE Systems Air group managing director Chris Boardman said: “It is not easy and it is not natural, but we have to work in a new way.”

The group is also using 3D printers to supply tens of thousands of face shields to hospital staff and carers.

BAE Systems is looking to support supply chains as UK commercial aircraft manufacturing faces largescale job losses.

Global aerospace group Safran Nacelles is consulting its UK workforce on proposed redundancies, with up to a third of 750 jobs at its Burnley plant at risk.

Managing director Michael Rigalle said the aerospace industry faces an unprecedented crisis, with an 80 per cent reduction in global air travel.

The Unite union warns that thousands of jobs are at risk and the UK’S lead role in aerospace is in jeopardy.