Defence giant BAE Systems is to consult on 1,775 potential job losses across its naval ships business.
Around 835 roles are under threat in Scotland, and a further 940 in Portsmouth during 2014, according to sources.
An official announcement is expected shortly to confirm fierce speculation about the scale of cuts in BAE’s three main yards – Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow and Portsmouth.
Shipbuilding operations will end in Portsmouth in the second half of next year, but an engineering team will be retained to support the new Type 26 warships, which will be built in Glasgow.
David Hulse, GMB national officer and chair of the Confederation ofShipbuilding and Engineering Unions’ shipbuilding national committee, said: ”Following today’s announcement from BAE Systems, we are able to confirm thatno shipyard will be closing even though there are substantial job losses in thepipeline.
“There is no doubt that this is a devastating day for the UK shipbuilding industry and the company will have justify to us the job losses planned.
“We have arranged a two-day meeting with the company at Farnborough next Monday and Tuesday that will be attended by officers and shop stewards from all the yards and all the unions. This meeting will examine in detail the business case and all aspects for scheduling work in the yards to complete building the carriers, starting work on the Type 26 ships and any other work.”