Job Losses Feared At BAE Shipyards Amid Review Defence giant BAE Systems will announce job losses when it releases a report on the future of shipyards on Thursday, Sky sources understand. It is thought that two facilities in Scotland and one at Portsmouth could be affected. Unions are to meet company representatives to discuss the future of the three sites amid a review of its business. The firm has refused to comment on speculation that hundreds of jobs could be axed at Govan, Scotstoun and Portsmouth. BAE said last year that it was considering closing one of its major shipyards as part of a maritime defence review, which is launched 18 months ago. Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "We have been in dialogue for some time with BAE Systems on the issues surrounding the future of the Clyde shipyards. We are awaiting the outcome of BAE's discussions with the Ministry of Defence and are very alert to the situation concerning both yards. We are seeking urgent clarity on the future for both Govan and Scotstoun. A BAE spokeswoman said: "We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to explore all possible options to determine how best to sustain the capability to deliver complex warships in the UK in the future. This work is ongoing and we are committed to keeping our employees and trade unions informed as it progresses. Hugh Scullion, Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions general secretary said: "We have secured talks with senior BAE systems executives early next week to examine the business case of the forthcoming announcement. Now is not the time for idle speculation or indeed party political point scoring. This is the future of an industry and we need to know from the company and the government directly what their plans for the future of UK shipbuilding are. The shipbuilding workforce throughout the UK are working flat out to deliver the aircraft carriers for the defence of the UK and they need to know what lies in store for them, their families and their communities. A GMB union spokesman added: "Full time union officials and shop stewards will meet BAE next week to go over the detailed business case on how work will be organised once the carrier programme winds down."