TWO Clyde shipyards will potentially suffer huge job losses after it was reported BAE systems is planning to axe up to 1,000 jobs across the UK.

Reports suggest that BAE's bases at Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow and at Portsmouth and Plymouth couldl be affected.

A decision is expected to come from the firm on Thursday.

However, it is being claimed that some of the potential job losses will be offset by a contract to build the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship for the Ministry of Defence.

BAE has so far not stated which yard is to get the work. It said last year that it was considering closing one of its major shipyards as part of a maritime defence review.

A BAE spokeswoman said: "We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to explore all possible options to determine how best to sustain the capability to deliver complex warships in the UK in the future.

"This work is ongoing and we are committed to keeping our employees and trade unions informed as it progresses."

Speculation that Govan is being lined up for closure mounted last weekend with the announcement that five cranes at the yard are to be decommissioned.

BAE said this was unrelated to the maritime review, insisting the cranes are "no longer fit for purpose".

Finance Secretary John Swinney called for urgent clarityon the situation.

Mr Swinney said: "We have been in dialogue for some time with BAE Systems on the issues surrounding the future of the Clyde shipyards. We are awaiting the outcome of BAE's discussions with the Ministry of Defence and are very alert to the situation concerning both yards.

"We are seeking urgent clarity on the future for both Govan and Scotstoun."

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "Shipbuilding is part of Scotland and everything must be done to ensure shipbuilding on the Clyde continues.

"The UK Government is the Clyde's biggest customer and I will be seeking urgent talks to make sure that continues.

"Govan is in my constituency and also within the hearts of every Scot who cares about Scottish industry.

"This will be a particularly worrying time for the workforce and their families but I will work with anyone to make sure we can keep these jobs.

"It's times like these that we all need to come together, put differences aside and fight to secure these vital jobs. I will work with everyone who wants to see this yard kept open in the interests of Glasgow and Scotland."

Scottish Conservative leader and Glasgow MSP Ruth Davidson said: "The current speculation over shipyard jobs is unhelpful and destabilising to both the workforce and their families.

"BAE's shipbuilders on the Clyde are a highly professional, motivated and loyal workforce and they deserve clear answers from the company about their future."

Hugh Scullion, Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions general secretary, said the union would hold talks with senior BAE Systems executives early next week to "examine the business case of the forthcoming announcement".

"Now is not the time for idle speculation or indeed party political point scoring, this is the future of an industry and we need to know from the company and the Government directly what their plans for the future of UK shipbuilding are," he said.

"The shipbuilding workforce throughout the UK are working flat out to deliver the aircraft carriers for the defence of the UK and they need to know what lies in store for them, their families and their communities."

A GMB union spokesman added: "Full time union officials and shop stewards will meet BAe next week to go over the detailed business case on how work will be organised once the carrier programme winds down." BAe launched a review of its defence work 18 months ago.