Derbyshire workers face uncertain future as Rolls-Royce announces 9,000 job cuts

The Derby-based firm, which makes plane engines, said the reduction of nearly a fifth of its workforce would mainly affect its civil aerospace division.

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The announcement comes as airlines have cut their flying hours by 90 per cent or more and Airbus and Boeing have slashed their production numbers for the next few years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rolls-Royce boss Warren East told the BBC: "This is not a crisis of our making – but it is the crisis that we face and must deal with.

The company employs 52,000 people around the world and Mr East said he did not yet know ‘exactly’ where the job losses would be due to having to consult with unions.

But he added: “It’s fair to say that of our civil aerospace business approximately two-thirds of the total employees are in the UK at the moment and that’s probably a good first proxy.”

Steve Turner, assistant general secretary for manufacturing at the union Unite, said: "The news that Rolls-Royce is preparing to throw thousands of skilled, loyal, world-class workers, their families and communities under the bus during the worst public health crisis since 1918 is shameful opportunism.

“This company has accepted public money to furlough thousands of workers.

“Unite and Britain’s taxpayers deserve a more responsible approach to a national emergency.

“We call upon Rolls-Royce to step back from the brink and work with us on a better way through this crisis.”

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