Shipyard workers on the Clyde are hopeful about the future of the workforce following meetings with owners BAE.

The trade unions met with BAE plc executives and have received positive reassurances to protect jobs amid delays to the Type 26 frigate contract from the UK Ministry of Defence.

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Duncan McPhee, union convenor at the Scotstoun yard said: “The company said it would stick to the terms of business agreed until 2024 and they would be telling the UK government to stick to that too.”

The unions have concerns over maintain the workforce with delays until the start of the frigate contract until late next year.

Mr McPhee said the company is looking at alternative ways to ensure the workers are employed until the contracts begin.

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It could mean moving workers from the Clyde yards at Govan and Scotstoun to other work in for example Rosyth and bringing in work from elsewhere like on existing submarine contracts.

The focus is still on getting the government to move on the delays to the frigate work to shorten the gap between orders.

He added: “The main thing is still to lobby the government to try and review the date for the type 26s. IT would be a help if we could move it back closer to the original agreement.”

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A BAE spokesman said: “Following the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we are working with the Ministry of Defence to agree a revised baseline for the Type 26 ships and a production schedule for the two additional offshore patrol vessels in Glasgow.

“We are engaging our trades unions as we work through this process. Our focus is to deliver the capability the Royal Navy needs, while ensuring the best value for UK taxpayers.”