Government pledges £11bn support for aerospace industries
NEWS COMES AS FORMER ROLLS-ROYCE FACTORY WORKERS FACE UNCERTAINTY OVER THEIR FUTURES
THE Government has responded to the concerns of workers at the former Rolls-royce factory in Hucknall after its new owner faces being sold off by the end of the year.
It comes after the Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire live called for jobs to be guaranteed, with all staff at the historic Hucknall site being transferred to Rolls-royce subsidiary company ITP Aero, which is soon to be sold for at least £1 billion.
The Spanish engine and turbine maker will be sold by Rolls-royce in a bid to improve its finances, with the British engineering firm having lost billions in value during the pandemic.
All staff members were transferred to ITP Aero on Monday and some spoke to the Post to express their concerns that any potential new owner of ITP Aero may not guarantee their jobs.
Their fears come as there are currently no conditions on the sale to guarantee their future at a factory where generations have worked for decades.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy says the Government will be investing around £11 billion in the aerospace and aviation industries through loans and grants, as well as export guarantees.
It has been emphasised that ITP Aero says all roles transferred to the company at the Hucknall site will remain in the UK and new ownership could provide new work opportunities beyond that of Rolls-royce.
A BEIS spokesman said: “The aviation and aerospace sector remains a critical part of the UK economy and we will continue to work closely with Rolls-royce and the wider sector to ensure it can sustain investment in green and cutting-edge aerospace technology here in the UK that will create new, well-paid green jobs for decades to come.”
Spanish company Aciturri Aeronautica is just one of the firms seeking to buy ITP Aero, raising question as to whether jobs would not be Ukbased.
Councillors in the area say it would be a “great shame” for any jobs to be lost under new ownership.
The Post made several attempts to contact both Sherwood MP Mark Spencer and Ashfield MP Lee Anderson regarding the situation.
An ITP Aero spokesman added: “ITP Aero is retaining all Hucknall employees as well as the strong management team, led by Ian Williamson.
“In addition, as part of ITP Aero, Hucknall will be able to compete for business from other engine makers in the industry and target new growth and investment opportunities.“
By JOSEPH LOCKER joseph.locker@reachplc.com @joelocker96