COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Rolls-Royce is to close its UK defence operations in Ansty, near Coventry.



The union Unite has blamed government defence cuts for the closure, which will mean 378 job losses.

The future of the company's Ansty factory, with employs an estimated 800 people, is now uncertain.

Unite national officer for aerospace and shipbuilding, Ian Waddell, said: "The underlying reason for the job losses is the government's defence spending cuts."

The site at Ansty, six miles to the east of Coventry City Centre, includes Rolls-Royce Aero Repair & Overhaul and Rolls-Royce Power Engineering.

The company has yet to comment.

Rolls-Royce bosses meet MPs on Ansty jobs

Rolls-Royce officials have been meeting MPs to discuss plans which could see 378 jobs lost at a base near Coventry.

The company announced last month it would be stopping its UK defence operations at Ansty.

The meeting, between local MPs and representatives from the company, took place earlier at the House of Commons.

Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson said he was working with the firm to find alternative roles for those affected.

A total of 800 people are employed at the Ansty site, which is six miles to the east of Coventry city centre. It is also a base for its aerospace business, which is not expected to be affected.

Rolls-Royce has said it hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Officials from union Unite blamed the government's defence spending cuts for the company's move.