LABOUR leadership hopeful David Miliband has met unions at BAE Systems to discuss their job fears.

The shadow Foreign Secretary said workers were being affected by ‘planning blight’ over the uncertainty surrounding the multi-billion pound Eurofighter Typhoon contract.

Yesterday he spent half an hour in behind-closed-doors talks at the firm’s sports and social Canberra Club in Samlesbury.

The visit came after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the firm was bracing itself for thousands of job losses if the government cancels Tranche 3B of the project.

A defence review is underway, and the Ministry of Defence will also be looking for most cost savings following next month’s spending review.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Miliband said: “The union has been briefing me about its worries over the government’s defence policy, and what it means for the industrial strength of this region.

“This is a strong manufacturing industry, and it depends on sensible defence budgeting. What people want is clarity.

“Everyone understands the government needs to save money.”

He said maintaining the Eurofighter had been a manifesto commitment for Labour before the last General Election, but could not make the same guarantee for the following Parliament.

He said: “We made a clear commitment before the election, and would have done in this Parliament. But we don’t know what we are going to inherit.”

Unite union rep Neil Sheehan said: “He listened, and certainly had a good grasp of the situation.

“We are concerned like everyone else, but we just don’t know yet.“ David and his brother Ed Miliband are the frontrunners in the race to become the next Labour leader. Ballot papers were sent out to members this week and the result will be announced later this month.