Rosyth has been dealt a bitter jobs blow, with Babcock International Group axing 250 roles.
Local SNP MP Douglas Chapman said it was a “crushing blow”, particularly at this time of year.
Babcock has confirmed the devastating news for those working on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers contact at the Fife yard.
The company will enter a period of consultation with the workforce and aims to shed jobs voluntarily or through redeployment.
The Dunfermline and West Fife MP said the announcement was particularly ironic as it came on the day that the UK Government launched their new UK industrial strategy.
“Only yesterday I asked the Secretary of State for Defence in Parliament what reassurances he can give to workers at Rosyth following the departure of the carriers and if he would visit Rosyth.
“Then less than 24 hours later this dreadful news is delivered to dockyard workers.
“However, in reply to my question the Secretary of State said he was ‘incredibly grateful for the amazing work’ the Rosyth workforce have done on the carriers – but people in my constituency cannot live on a Tory Minister’s platitudes.
“They need follow on contracts and this latest news underlines the importance of continuing the fight for Type31e frigates, fleet auxiliary ships and the carrier contracts to come to Rosyth.”
A spokesman for the company said prospects for Babcock’s operations at Rosyth remained good.
“The last 10 years of the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carrier programme has been an outstanding success story.
“Unfortunately, given the one-off nature of this large-scale programme, as the ships begin to be handed over to our customer, we must inevitably reshape our business to remain competitive and take on new challenges, which we firmly believe exist for Rosyth.
“However, medium term opportunities cannot compensate for the 250 or so specific roles and capabilities no longer needed with the slow-down of the QEC work.”
Staff was the company’s priority.
“We will work closely with those affected and our trade union representatives through this consultation period to redeploy or relocate as many employees as possible within our wider organisation and support those who wish to take this opportunity to move on,” he added.
Mr Chapman is calling the Defence Secretary to join him in Rosyth to “tie down” what contracts can come to Rosyth to avoid the loss of the “skills, talent and dedication” of the workforce in west Fife.
