Defence giant BAE Systems has confirmed that it is cutting almost 3,000 jobs at sites across the country, mainly in its military aircraft division.
The firm ended days of speculation by giving details of a huge redundancy programme, saying it needed to maintain competitiveness.
The biggest job cuts will be at sites in Warton, Preston and Samlesbury in Lancashire and at Brough in East Yorkshire, although jobs will also be lost at the firm's head office in Hampshire.
Ian King, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: "Our customers are facing huge pressures on their defence budgets and affordability has become an increasing priority. Our business needs to rise to this challenge to maintain its competitiveness and ensure its long-term future."
BAE said the potential job losses included 899 at Brough, 565 at Samlesbury and 843 at Warton and Preston. The firm announced that it had started a consultation about ending manufacturing at the Brough site, which currently employs 1,300 workers.
Unite union national officer Ian Waddell said: "After days of speculation and rumours, our worst fears have been confirmed. It's a dark day for thousands of skilled men and women across the country and it is a dark day for British manufacturing."
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "Business Secretary Vince Cable has to intervene to help create new businesses in places like Brough and Lancashire to prevent the high skills of these workers being lost to the economy.
In Brough, local GMB officer Dave Oglesby said workers at the plant had been left "absolutely shocked" by the news.
One worker, maintenance technician Edward Potter, said he was "off to go home to look for a job". The 29-year-old, who has worked at the plant for 14 years, added: "It is the end of manufacturing at Brough. There's not really much else to say."
Mr Cable said: "This news from BAE Systems will be a serious knock to the individuals and communities affected. My officials and the BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) local teams are already in touch with the company, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships to make sure that everything possible is done to help those affected at Brough, Warton, Samlesbury and other sites."
Defence giant BAE Systems has confirmed that it is cutting almost 3,000 jobs at sites across the country, mainly in its military aircraft division.
The firm ended days of speculation by giving details of a huge redundancy programme, saying it needed to maintain competitiveness.
The biggest job cuts will be at sites in Warton, Preston and Samlesbury in Lancashire and at Brough in East Yorkshire, although jobs will also be lost at the firm's head office in Hampshire.
Ian King, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: "Our customers are facing huge pressures on their defence budgets and affordability has become an increasing priority. Our business needs to rise to this challenge to maintain its competitiveness and ensure its long-term future."
BAE said the potential job losses included 899 at Brough, 565 at Samlesbury and 843 at Warton and Preston. The firm announced that it had started a consultation about ending manufacturing at the Brough site, which currently employs 1,300 workers.
Unite union national officer Ian Waddell said: "After days of speculation and rumours, our worst fears have been confirmed. It's a dark day for thousands of skilled men and women across the country and it is a dark day for British manufacturing."
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "Business Secretary Vince Cable has to intervene to help create new businesses in places like Brough and Lancashire to prevent the high skills of these workers being lost to the economy.
In Brough, local GMB officer Dave Oglesby said workers at the plant had been left "absolutely shocked" by the news.
One worker, maintenance technician Edward Potter, said he was "off to go home to look for a job". The 29-year-old, who has worked at the plant for 14 years, added: "It is the end of manufacturing at Brough. There's not really much else to say."
Mr Cable said: "This news from BAE Systems will be a serious knock to the individuals and communities affected. My officials and the BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) local teams are already in touch with the company, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships to make sure that everything possible is done to help those affected at Brough, Warton, Samlesbury and other sites."