Rolls-Royce: Up to 2,500 jobs to be cut from company with large Bristol site

Rolls-Royce is to cut up to 2,500 jobs in a bid to create a “more efficient and effective” company.

The aerospace giant, which has UK bases in Bristol and Derby, said the proposal was part of a plan to streamline the business.

The company, which makes engines for aircraft, employs 42,000 people around the world with about half based in the UK.

Although the majority of UK workers - around 13,700 - are based in Derby, a further 3,400 people in Bristol are employed by the company at its Filton site.

The company welcomed a new chief executive in January following the departure of Warren East, who was replaced by Tufan Erginbilgic.

Mr Erginbilgic says the job cuts will help to remove “duplication” and deliver better cost efficiency.

He said: “We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future. That means a more streamlined and efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders.”

He continued: “Our business is full of committed, talented people and I believe these changes will enable them to build greater capability in areas that are key to our long-term success. This is another step on our multi-year transformation journey to build a high performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce.”

The company has not confirmed which areas of the business will be affected by the cuts or if Bristol will be impacted.

A Rolls-Royce spokesperson said: “Building our organisation isn’t easy and there are some tough decisions we are needing to take. The changes we are announcing today are an important step forward in our transformation.

“The next phase of the organisational development will take place over the coming weeks through to January 2024, so we don’t yet know where many of the proposed reductions will be based.

“We are working with our employee representatives throughout the process and will continue to keep them and our employees updated as we complete the proposed business design.”