Vosper unions call for state aid

Shipbuilding unions have called for government intervention to stave off the job losses at Vosper Thornycroft's Southampton shipyard. The warship builder warned in early October that it would have to axe half the 1,200-strong workforce at the yard unless it won new contracts by Christmas. The firm has started issuing 90-day redundancy notices to 650 employees. These will take effect early next year if fresh orders have not been found to keep the yard busy when work on a batch of minehunters for the Royal Navy ends in January.

Sir Ken Jackson, general secretary of the AEEU electrical and engineering union, said: "We have 90 days to save these jobs. We need the support of everyone, including the government, to save these jobs and build a future for shipyards across the country."

John Edmonds, leader of the GMB general union, said: "Yet again we would urge ministers to act before another yard sinks without trace."