A UNION boss has reacted with disappointment at news that more than 1,400 jobs at Airbus in Broughton are at risk.

Just before midday on Thursday, the aircraft manufacturer confirmed that 1,432 of its planned 1,700 UK job cuts would be at the Flintshire site.

Peter Hughes, Unite Wales Regional Secretary, said: "The level of job losses planned for Broughton are far larger than we originally anticipated and can only bring into crystal clear focus how urgent the need for UK Government intervention now is.

"Welsh Government have committed to doing everything they can, but the financial intervention that is now required to support jobs at Broughton can only come from Westminster.

"Our calls for Boris Johnson’s Government to intervene in the crisis that is engulfing the aerospace sector have so far fallen on deaf ears.

"They can’t hide anymore, the voices of thousands of workers and their families from across North Wales and North West England are screaming for help.

"Be in no doubt the governments of France and Germany are already acting to support their aerospace workers. If the UK Government does not do the same then our countries position as a world leader in the aerospace sector will be consigned to history."

Daz Reynolds, Unite convenor at Airbus Broughton said: “Our members at Broughton are devastated to hear of the scale of the job losses for our site.

"We are a world class workforce who have built up Broughton to be one of the best manufacturing sites in Europe.

"The workforce recognises the enormous challenges facing Airbus and are prepared to look at every avenue available to mitigate the proposed job losses.

"Unite will do everything it can to support our members following this desperate news. Our position remains that we will not accept one single compulsory redundancy at this site."

Following the latest Airbus announcement, Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates said: “The announcement that 1,435 jobs are to be lost at Broughton confirms our fears following Airbus’ announcement earlier this week.

"It is a huge blow for the region and the industry. My thoughts are with all those affected - the workers, their families and wider community. I have set out the action we will take to support Airbus, the aerospace sector and supply chain. We are working with all our partners, across government and cross-border.

"I will leave no stone unturned to support this industry which is the lifeblood of North East Wales.

"All governments must work together and we are ready to work with the UK Government. I repeat my call to them that immediate and radical action now needs to be taken to secure the future of the aerospace sector.”