Airbus Job Losses

11.59.01am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the prospect of major job losses at Airbus.

The company is expected to announce 1,500 jobs will be lost from its factories in Flintshire and Filton, near Bristol.

Ms Williams said: "Uncertainty for the future has been hanging over the heads of the Airbus workers for some time now. If 1,500 jobs are indeed to be lost, this will be a major blow to the local economies; the sooner the position is clarified, the better. I would expect the Enterprise Minister to be in close contact with the firm, and to have ensured structures are able to be quickly put in place to support the workers if the worst should happen, and will be seeking his assurances on this at the earliest possible opportunity."

Notes:

· Around 7,000 people work at the factory in Broughton, Flintshire, which makes wings for Airbus aircraft. The company has been struggling recently after failing to meet delivery times on its A380 'superjumbo' airliner.

· A further 8,000 jobs are expected to be lost from Airbus' other European factories.