Leonardo staff begin first strikes over pay

Leonardo workers say the latest offer is still below inflation

More than 3,000 workers at defence firm Leonardo have begun the first of a series of strikes after rejecting their company's latest pay offer.

The Unite union said the counter offer of 3.6% remains below inflation, while the firm says the offer is "competitive" and is "disappointed" with the industrial action.

Unite members across Leonardo sites in Yeovil, Luton, Basildon, Newcastle and Edinburgh walked out on Wednesday, with more disruption planned over the next few weeks.

In a statement, Leonardo said: "We welcome Unite back to the negotiating table in a bid to reach a resolution."

Shevaun Hunt from Unite says skilled workers deserve higher wages

Strikes will continue in Edinburgh and Basildon into next week. Further industrial action will then resume in Yeovil from 25 to 28 November.

The Leonardo statement added: "We have taken all steps possible to minimise disruption to our business and our customers."

Last week Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said the company cannot "continue to subsidise Yeovil" - the helicopter division - without a new Government contract.

South West Regional Officer for Unite, Shevaun Hunt told the BBC: "The strike isn't going to impact the Government's decision [on a new helicopter contract] but our message is very clear to the government - Yeovil is the home of British Helicopters."

Leonardo says it's deal is competitive and are disappointed it's been rejected.

A decision on a new medium helicopter contract is expected in the Defence Investment Plan in the Autumn.

The government has pledged to lift defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) - a measure of the size of the economy - by 2027 with an "ambition" to reach 3% in the next decade.

The Ministry of Defence said: "We continue to work at pace to deliver equipment for our Armed Forces, back UK companies, and create jobs across the country.

"Defence companies and their workers the across the UK play a vital role in supporting our national security and economic prosperity.

"We urge both sides to come together constructively to find a resolution."