Rolls-Royce to cut 9,000 jobs in massive overhaul of aerospace giant

Rolls-Royce is cutting at least 9,000 jobs in a bid to cushion the hit from Covid-19.

The UK aerospace giant said the job losses would come from its civil aerospace division, which makes plane engines for large passenger jets. The move will save £1.3 billion.

Warren East, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “This is not a crisis of our making. But it is the crisis that we face and we must deal with it. Our airline customers and airframe partners are having to adapt and so must we. Being told that there is no longer a job for you is a terrible prospect and it is especially hard when all of us take so much pride in working for Rolls-Royce.

“But we must take difficult decisions to see our business through these unprecedented times.”

Coronavirus has dealt a heavy blow to the aviation industry as planes remain grounded around the globe.

Rolls-Royce said the major reorganisation of its business would allow it "to adapt to the new level of demand we are seeing from customers".

As well as the job losses, the company said it would cut costs in areas such as its plants and properties.

The UK government has said it will look to step in and offer some help to employees.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "Clearly we will have to go to work with the employer to look at the options.

"All of us will be looking not just at Rolls Royce but at the whole sector and the implications of this for the supply chains as well, let’s not forget them, to make sure we are doing everything we can in terms of plans and action to support what is a very high skilled part of our economy."