800 jobs are secure, as Rolls-Royce invests £300m in UK operations.

Rolls-Royce and the UK Government have joined together to give a much needed boost to the UK economy.

In plans laid out by the global power systems company today, it said that £300 million will be invested in four manufacturing facilities – at least one of which will be in Barnoldswick, Lancashire – and two advanced research programmes in the UK, with the Government providing £45m of the proposed investment.

The research programmes will focus on technologies designed to reduce the CO2 emissions of future aircraft programmes. 

The company said in a statement detailing its intentions that the investments would also create, or at least secure, more than 800 jobs – largely in the Assisted Areas.

Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, said: “These are significant investments in capability and research which reflect our commitment to continue to invest in the future of our business, even at this stage in the economic cycle.

“We are delighted that the British Government will be supporting these projects.”

Bernie Hamilton, Unite National Officer for Aerospace and Committee Chair of the Confederation of Shipbuilding Engineering Unions (CSEU), said: “This is a welcome investment for the UK manufacturing base including new sites for aerospace and civil nuclear which will secure and create jobs in communities badly hit by losses of employment in the UK manufacturing base and in other sectors of the UK economy.”

In a separate announcement, the company has unveiled plans for the development of a new wide chord fan blade factory, for military aircraft, in Singapore.