A £2.5 billion agreement between the Government and Rolls-Royce could keep jet-engine production in the UK for decades, with tens of thousands of jobs expected to follow.
The jointly funded programme will run over 10 years and develop cleaner, more efficient engines for single-aisle passenger aircraft. Only a small number of countries and companies can design and build engines of this kind.
Jobs, skills and advanced manufacturing
The investment is expected to support 3,300 existing jobs over the next few years, with many more roles potentially created in engineering, research and manufacturing. The Government says most of the new opportunities will be outside London and the South East, drawing on Rolls-Royce’s sites and supply chains across the country.
Work will cover advanced materials, electronic systems, robotics, artificial intelligence and other manufacturing technologies. A jobs and skills plan will also help develop the workforce needed for the programme.
Rolls-Royce estimates that securing a UK-built engine for these aircraft could attract billions more in investment over coming decades, potentially adding £120 billion to the economy over the programme’s lifetime. The technologies and expertise could also support military aircraft engines and strengthen the UK’s ability to design, make and service commercial jet engines.
Why it matters for Britain
The deal supports high-value jobs and gives UK aerospace suppliers a clearer route to long-term investment. It also helps maintain advanced engineering skills and manufacturing capability across different parts of the country.
