LABOUR councillors have pledged to do all they can to save jobs at a major aerospace plant.

Members of the Labour group at Flintshire Council are liaising with officials and union members at the Airbus plant in Broughton following the announcement early this month that more than 1,400 jobs would be cut.

A total of 1,700 jobs are to be lost from Airbus’ two UK locations as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Airbus' Broughton site makes wings for planes used across the world - and employs around 6,000 workers with more than double that in the supply chain.

Cllr Ian Roberts, Labour group leader, said considerable efforts had been made so far to save jobs at the Broughton plant.

He said: “A tremendous amount of work has been done with Airbus.

“Myself and Cllr Derek Butler have met with the unions throughout this time and it is particularly pleasing that the Welsh Government has secured apprenticeships and the future of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.”

Cllr Butler, cabinet member for economic development, who represents Broughton South ward, said that a co-ordinated approach was needed to solve the issue - for the good of the local and wider economies.

He said: “My community is at the heart of global wing production and we need to remain so.

“The solution to this is in the interests of the whole of the UK and we are working with colleagues across North Wales, Cheshire West and Chester, the Mersey Dee Alliance and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, as well as the Welsh and UK Governments to ensure these high-quality jobs remain here."

Cllr Roberts added that Labour members would carry on the battle to protect jobs and work with representatives in London and Cardiff Bay with meetings continuing throughout this difficult period.

“We need to fight and we will continue to fight with both governments,” he said.

Airbus was approached by the Leader for comment.