Jobs 'secured' at Rolls-Royce plant in Inchinnan

Rolls-Royce specialises in turbines for the aerospace and marine industries

Hundreds of jobs may have been secured at a Rolls-Royce plant in Renfrewshire after the company confirmed plans to go-ahead with a £60m investment.

Rolls-Royce announced last year that it aimed to create a Centre of Competence for making aerofoils and engine shafts at its facility in Inchinnan.

That will now happen after the business case for the investment was approved.

It has also been confirmed that Inchinnan will get a share of work from a £79m UK government contract.

Rolls-Royce confirmed on Tuesday that a decision had been taken to proceed with the Centre of Competence initiative at Inchinnan, near Glasgow Airport.

It previously said the development could create up to 130 jobs and partly offset the loss of 187 jobs announced in March 2015.

The decision to go-ahead with the Centre of Competence has been welcomed as potentially securing hundreds of jobs at the site.

'Tremendous news'

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: "This significant investment is a tremendous news for workers and management at Inchinnan and also the broader Renfrewshire economy.

"First and foremost it will boost security of employment for the highly skilled workforce.

"It is also further confirmation of Renfrewshire's continuing ability to provide the location, workforce, and economic environment that can deliver long term business advantage for internationally renowned companies."

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has also confirmed that it has secured a £79m UK government contract to produce parts for engines which power Hawk trainer aircraft - also used by the Red Arrows.

The Red Arrows display team uses the Hawk jet

The contract is part of a £372m investment announced by the Ministry of Defence for continued in-service support of Hawk fast jet training aircraft.

The MoD said this would secure about 700 jobs around the UK until 2020.

Under the terms of the contract, Rolls-Royce will provide support to all main operating bases where the Hawk is stationed.

Repair and overhaul activities will be carried out at the firm's plants in Bristol and Inchinnan.