Rolls-Royce announce plans to axe jobs at its Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire sites

Rolls-Royce has revealed that 1,500 jobs will be lost across its sites in Hucknall, Annesley and Derby in the first round of devastating cuts.
Around 1,500 jobs are set to be axed from the Derby and Hucknall sitesAround 1,500 jobs are set to be axed from the Derby and Hucknall sites
Around 1,500 jobs are set to be axed from the Derby and Hucknall sites

The aerospace giant employs around 800 people in Hucknall, 120 at Annesley and thousands at its flagship base in Derby.

Earlier this year the global company revealed it was planning to cut 9,000 jobs from its 52,000-strong global workforce due to the impact of coronavirus.

Now more details are beginning to emerge about the swingeing cuts, which will begin with a voluntary redundancy scheme.

Chris Cholerton, president of Rolls-Royce civil aerospace, said: “Following constructive talks with trade union and employee representatives, we have opened voluntary severance to all civil aerospace employees in the UK.

“Offering voluntary severance is an important step as we resize our business to adapt to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry over the next few years.

“Due to the unprecedented impact of the crisis on our civil aerospace business, we are facing changes to the business on a scale we have not seen for 50 years.

"The depth and breadth of the crisis means we have to both radically and swiftly reduce the size of our business.

“In Derby and Nottinghamshire it is likely that we will see around 1,500 roles impacted this year.

“This is going to be very tough for everyone, but we have to ensure Rolls-Royce can thrive for future generations.”

He concluded: “We have come through crises in the past to achieve amazing things. Taking action now means we will be able to do so again. I’m confident we will.”

Unite national officer for the aerospace sector, Rhys McCarthy, said work had been ongoing with Rolls on the redundancy scheme to buy some time for a “plan B”.

He added: “This is another warning sign that the UK is in serious danger of losing its leading position in aerospace, in addition to losing thousands of skilled jobs.

“The UK government also has a key role in supporting diversification for the aviation and aerospace industries. We need them to be bold with levels of state investment and support last seen in the post-war period.”