We need action not words for RR, warns Newlands
Gavin Newlands MP has slammed the UK Government for failing to promise action to save jobs at the Rolls-Royce plant in Inchinnan.
The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North secured an urgent debate in Westminster after the aerospace giant announced last week it was axing 700 jobs at its Renfrewshire base – more than half of the 1,300-strong workforce.
Parliament heard about union proposals to voluntarily reduce wages and increase working hours in an effort to keep operations at Inchinnan in the short-term and to grow in the long-term.
Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for Business and Industry, said during the debate: “My officials are in regular dialogue with colleagues in Scottish Enterprise, and will continue to work with them to support not only the Scottish Government’s effort to help those affected, but the broader aerospace industry in Scotland.”
Mr Newlands said afterwards: “It was telling that there was no action on offer from the UK Government, just a list of meetings and talk of taskforces.
“The other MPs who spoke up in the debate for their constituents were from a range of political parties, including Tory backbenchers, demonstrating the crossparty work that is going on day-in, day-out to save highskill, high-quality jobs in this country.
“The fight goes on to save jobs at Inchinnan and I’ll continue to work with anyone and everyone who wants a sustainable future for our communities and our local economy. The workforce at Inchinnan deserve nothing less.”