ROLLS Royce boss John Rose has told Pendle MP Gordon Prentice that he cannot guarantee there will be no compulsory redundancies at the firm's Barnoldswick plant.

The firm have announced that up to 90 jobs could go at the specialist aero engine fan factory.

However, Mr Rose has now written to the Labour back-bencher saying that "all available means are being employed to avoid compulsory redundancies" at Barnoldswick.

But Mr Rose warns that "there can be no guarantee of complete success."

He blames the need for the firm to keep prices low and profit margins high enough for investments for the need to cut jobs, despite full order books.

Mr Rose said: "Redundancy is not something that the management of the company wants to undertake, but it is forced upon us by the business climate in which we operate.

"At Barnoldswick, we've announced a potential 90 job losses in our fans systems business unit and discussions are under way with our employees and their representatives in order to try to minimise the adverse effects. A voluntary severance and early retirement programme have been available for some months now and we also invest in retraining and redeployment wherever it is possible. "All available means are being employed to avoid compulsory redundancy, but you will understand that there can be no guarantee of complete success.

"The cost reduction and business efficiency programmes being introduced are aimed at producing the improved profitability and customer satisfaction, which will lead to longer-term job security for the majority of our employees."

Mr Prentice said: "I am obviously concerned about the possibility of compulsory redundancies but heartened by the promise to do everything possible to avoid them.

"I am still mystified why the company should even be considering compulsory redundancies given its bulging order book and record profits.

"We all want Rolls to be an efficient, world class company - but we want it to be a good employer too."

Mr Prentice is one of several MPs who met Rolls workers earlier this month and intends to join a delegation to meet Mr Rose next month.

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