Richard Benyon, Member of Parliament for Newbury, has reacted with concern to the news that the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is reducing certain roles within the business.
Richard said: “I am of course concerned at the news of 500 job losses at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. My first concern is for any of the employees who may be offered redundancy. I want to ensure that the AWE works with agencies such as Jobcentre Plus to provide the best opportunities for retraining and employment in the area. I am also determined to ensure that there are no compromises on safety or security at both sites”.
He continued: “The sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield have benefitted from huge investment in recent years; the AWE remains a valued local employer and have a considerable supply chain across the local economy. Skills taught in the AWE school for apprentices and in the fields of science and engineering are transferable across the economy. The benefits of the AWE are seen across the UK”.