High Level Task Force to meet with QuinetiQ

Cumbria's High Level Task Force is to meet with QuinetiQ to discuss proposed job losses announced at the Eskmeals Gun Range. 

The task force will be meeting with management of QuinetiQ on Friday, 13th June at 1.30pm at the Eskdales offices to see what can be done in the light of proposals to cut around 40 jobs from the 112 strong workforce. 

Councillor Lawson Short, Chair of the Task Force, said: "These proposed job losses are obviously devastating to the individuals concerned and the to the whole economy of west Cumbria. We will be meeting with the company to gain a better understanding of the issues which have led to this decision and to see if anything can be done to reverse it. We will also be looking at what steps can be taken to try and secure the longer term future of the site and to see what can be done to help any staff affected by the redundancies. 

"Eskmeals is currently awaiting a decision by BAE for a contract to develop the Principal Anti Aircraft Missiles System for the Type 45 destroyers and if awarded this project, it would help support medium term viability of the site, which could protect the remaining jobs." 

QuinetiQ operates the Government owned site on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The Eskmeals site is a firing range that provides trials of munitions and military equipment in service and under development. They announced a 30 day consultation period into the job losses in April, which are expected to take effect from September.