Huge blow to Burnley and Pendle aerospace industry as Rolls-Royce announces more job cuts

One of Burnley and Pendle's biggest high-skilled employers, Rolls-Royce, has announced it is to cut a further 235 jobs from its Barnoldswick site.
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The engineering company confirmed it will make the redundancies, having been adversely affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The sad news follows similar developments at Burnley's Safran Nacelles, another aerospace parts manufacturer, which also announced redundancies recently, as it too grapples with the impact of the virus on the airline industry.

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Rolls-Royce, BarnoldswickRolls-Royce, Barnoldswick
Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick

Pendle's Tory MP Andrew Stephenson said: "Devastating news of 235 job losses at Barnoldswick. I spoke to Ministers yesterday about this and will this morning be meeting with Rolls-Royce trade union reps from across the UK before having further discussions with the company."

Speaking this morning, party colleague, Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham, said: "The news from Rolls-Royce this morning confirming 235 job losses at Barnoldswick is devastating, particularly after similar decisions have been taken by other local firms including Safran.

"The aerospace sector is acutely impacted by the pandemic and I have written to the Secretary of State for Business asking for additional support to get us through this period, recognising the significant supply chain we have for the industry locally.

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"I will keep engaging with all our aerospace businesses locally, including a meeting with the Rolls-Royce trade unions later today, to ensure we're doing everything we can to save as many jobs as possible."

The company, which makes jet engines, will cut 3,000 jobs from its various across the UK.

The redundancies are part of a cost-cutting exercise that will see the company cut its worldwide workforce by a fifth, following a drastic fall in air travel because of the coronavirus.

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