A campaign by the Hull Daily Mail, urging the Government and BAE Systems to sign a £10bn contract, has changed focus after it emerged that the deal wouldn’t be enough to save 450 jobs in Brough.

Editor John Meehan had urged the two sides to “get their act together” over the signing of the Ministry of Defence contract after the threat of job losses was blamed on delays in securing the contract.

But BAE chief executive Mike Turner has now announced those jobs cannot be saved – even if the contract was agreed.

And staff at the plant, which currently has a workforce of some 2,350 staff, are increasingly worried as he has failed to provide assurances about its long-term future.

Now, as part of its ongoing Sign It Now! campaign, the Mail is calling on all parties to make it their priority as the workforce accepts that the campaign had turned from saving jobs to saving the site.

Editor John said: “Instead of fighting to safeguard the livelihoods of 450 workers currently under threat, regrettably the campaign now has to focus on the long-term future of the site.

“Suddenly the goalposts have moved, in what can only be seen as an extremely worrying development.”

But he said that the Mail would also still continue to push for the MoD deal to be signed without further delay.

He said: “The fact that this contract is no longer the key, should not be seen as an excuse to pull back on the throttle by BAE or the Government.

“Anyone with any influence needs to do everything in their power to secure the order as soon as possible.

“That order will at least buy breathing space and provide a platform for further success in the contract market.

“Failing that, BAE should dig into its deep cash reserves and protect jobs at Brough while new orders are secured to safeguard employment and the site’s future.”