MP slams Rolls-Royce job losses as 'deeply regrettable and short-sighted'

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has branded a decision to axe 160 jobs at engineering giant Rolls-Royce as 'short-sighted'.
Andrew Stephenson MPAndrew Stephenson MP
Andrew Stephenson MP

The Tory MP was speaking after it emerged that 162 jobs are to be shed at the firm's Barnoldswick plant, which employs hundreds of people from around Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

Leader Times Newspaper revealed earlier this week that bosses said the decision was made due to a drop in workload due to a decline in demand for some of the legacy products made there.

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But Mr Stephenson said: “These job losses are deeply disappointing and this will be a worrying time for local employees.

“I have spoken to Rolls-Royce management about how they will be supporting those directly affected and regularly meet with trade union representatives.

“Rolls-Royce workers in Barnoldswick are highly skilled and have a level of knowledge which is invaluable to the company.

“I therefore feel this is a deeply regrettable and short-sighted decision.”

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A spokesman for the company said: "There have been limited opportunities to bring in new work. This has resulted in a proposed reduction of 162 roles this year.

"We will offer full support to employees who are impacted by the changes and as part of this process we will look at opportunities for the redeployment of affected employees, voluntary severance and reducing the use of agency workers. We will seek to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.

"We have invested around £50m. at Barnoldswick in the last year to increase capacity of our wide chord fan blade facility and also to create a Centre of Excellence for Structures at the site. This will help us remain competitive in future.”