Jobs are being cut at the Uist rocket range.
Around sixteen islanders are being made redundant though the final numbers are to be confirmed.
A consultation with affected personnel was launched.
Job losses involved security guards, cleaners, stewards and administration staff
at two sub-
Missile base operator, QinetiQ, is “handing back” part of the barracks at West Camp in Balivanich, Benbecula, which houses military personnel during weapons testing at the base on the neighbouring island of South Uist.
It followed QinetiQ’s announcement of a £60 million revamp of the South Uist range, the UK’s largest missile testing base.
Most of the workers at West Camp are employed by catering company, Elior UK.
The barracks -
Much of the buildings will no longer be used while a remaining block has been refurbished.
However, that means less staff is required.
At peak times, visiting personnel would be accommodate at local hotels said the operator.
About eight posts will go at the camp it is understood.
Up to the same number of roles with subcontractor, Mitie, involving guards at the missile range sites in South Uist as well as West Camp, also face being slashed it is believed.
A QinetiQ spokesperson said: “West Camp will remain open and operational following a refurbishment and downsizing of the accommodation.
"We can confirm that our catering contractor, Elior, has now concluded its work to
determine the resourcing requirement for its management of the scaled-
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said: “The Hebrides Range is the largest employer in Uist and any job losses will have a huge impact on the economy.
“Having tabled a series of questions with the MOD, it is clear that they are quite
happy to shift the responsibility for these jobs on to QinetiQ and their sub-
“I have contacted QinetiQ to request information about jobs at the Hebrides Range.”
A review of operations at the base has been ongoing following proposals to install a modern radar and communications system.
QinetiQ previously said the investment will ensure the Hebrides remains at the “cutting edge of military testing” and supports jobs by guaranteeing the future of the Hebrides Range for at least 10 years by continuing to attract international customers.
Hebrides Range has the largest area for the live firing of rockets and missiles of any UK base, providing a secure environment for test and evaluation, and training for air, sea and ground launched weapons.
The facility came under threat by Labour in 2009 -
A community campaign resulted in an U-
It faced another closure threat under a review by the Lib-
Major international war games recently chose the Hebrides Range in South Uist to test out modern warfare.
It included the United States testing its technically complex ballistic missiles defence systems.
The American Navy blasted the Terrier Orion missile into space from South Uist, in its first test of its kind outside US soil.
Job cuts at rocket range
18 December 2017
