EADS chief talks of guarantees for BAE jobs

EADS Chief Executive Tom Enders is prepared to talk about guarantees for jobs and production sites if it merges with BAE Systems, according to an article in Germany's Bild newspaper.

In an interview he also argued that a merged company offers the best opportunity to guarantee German jobs in a competitive global marketplace.

It's the latest move to convince sceptical politicians in Germany, France and Britain to back the deal. Yet, political and national resistance is not going away over fears of job losses and the effect on national sovereignty.

CorruptionA report published by Transparency International appears to have raised heightened concerns over corruption in the industry.

The Financial Times cites the report highlighting that UK defence firm BAE Systems appears to do more to prevent corruption than Airbus owner EADS. BAE ranks fourth most vigilant among companies, listed by the mechanisms they have publicly revealed aimed at minimising corruption, while EADS only scores 38th out of the 139 companies surveyed.

The Guardian cites the report's author, Mark Pyman, expressing concerns that the combined entity will be above the law.

Separately, The Telegraph writes that BAE boss Ian King could make £18m from the EADS deal when cashing in share options triggered by the deal being signed.

If the deal goes ahead it will create a £30bn defence and aerospace behemoth to rival America's Boeing.

BAE and EADS have a deadline of October 10th to make formal proposals for a tie-up or walk away.

CM