With Rolls-Royce announcing plans to cut thousands of jobs the West of England Mayor Dan Norris is urging the government to guarantee contracts.
Norris has written to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to ensure that the government will continue with the Tempest and Eurofighter Typhoon contracts.
Norris said that the Typhoon fighter jets form the backbone of the RAF fleet and Rolls-Royce are conducting tests for the UK’s next-generation of supersonic stealth combat jet, the Tempest.
Norris wrote: “Following a call with Rolls-Royce, I gather that the security of the workforce at Bristol depends in part on the Government’s commitment to continuing with these contracts and not ending or curtailing them.
“Therefore, I am calling on you and your department to guarantee the Government’s spending commitment to the Tempest and Eurofighter Typhoon contracts which will help to save Great British jobs in my region.”
On Wednesday Norris spoke to Rolls-Royce after the company said they are planning to cut up to 2,500 jobs.
He said: “The news from Rolls-Royce is deeply concerning for the 3,400 West of England-based staff.
“I urge them to avoid compulsory redundancies at all costs and to focus on excellence over short-term savings.
“We are known as a key base for world-class engineering and the company has a big economic and social impact on the greater Bristol region.”
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