RUGBY’S MP has called for no compulsory redundancies at Rolls Royce’s Ansty site, after the manufacturer announced it will reduce its global workforce by 2,600 people in the next 18 months.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mark Pawsey asked the government to help ensure that any redundancies in the UK were on a voluntary basis.
And he was told the government already has plans to work with the company and support anyone who loses their job.
Mr Pawsey said: “There will be inevitable concern at this news amongst my constituents working in the Ansty site.
“My great hope is that no jobs in Rugby are affected by the changes, but I am fully on the side of those of my constituents working at the Ansty site and will continue to work hard to ensure they are supported if the changes affect us here locally.”
Business and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock agreed with Mr Pawsey’s suggestion the company work with employees to avoid compulsory redundancies.
He said: “The site at Ansty that supports innovation in aerospace has received £60 million of investment and is a crucial part of ensuring that we have the highest-value innovative manufacturing.
“Of course Rolls-Royce plays a part in that, and it is a very important part of their future, so we must ensure that the momentum behind that continues.”
It is not yet known where jobs will be lost. Rolls-Royce hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies but has not yet ruled them out.
