Jobs to go at BAE's Clyde yards

BAE said about 40 jobs could be lost at its yards on the Clyde

About 40 jobs could be lost at shipyards on the Clyde as part of wider moves to cut 135 posts around the UK.

BVT Surface Fleet said the move was not related to the current economic climate but designed to remove duplication.

BVT, which was formally launched in July, is a joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group.

The company said it would be offering voluntary redundancy and had entered a three-month consultation period with its workforce and unions.

Charles Thompson, from BVT, said the decision was not in any way related to a lack of work.

"We are in excellent health and have a £5bn order book," he said.

"We will continue to grow the business and are committed to ongoing recruitment of apprentices and graduates.

"This move will help us remove duplication on posts which arose following the creation of BVT Surface Fleet."