PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has called on Rolls-Royce to invest more in Barnoldswick after its half-year results- published today - showed an improved performance.

Although the engineering company has in the past few years invested more than £100 million at its sites in the town, significant falls in demand for components made at the two sites has had a big impact with further job losses of 102 announced earlier this year.

Mr Stephenson, who was Aerospace Minister under Theresa May, before being appointed to the Foreign Office last month by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We remain in uncertain times for local Rolls-Royce workers and their families. I remain deeply concerned by the number of redundancies made by the company in recent years and will do whatever I can to protect jobs in Barnoldswick.

“Rolls-Royce has assured me previously that there is a long-term future for their local sites and their recent level of investment is welcome. However, we need to see these sites gaining more work going forward, especially components for the future generation of engines, to ensure more job security for Pendle residents.”

Mr Stephenson said he had spoken to the chief executive of Rolls-Royce, Warren East, about the sites in Barnoldswick and he regularly met with trade union representatives.

“Following the change in Business Secretary in the recent reshuffle I met with the new Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom and have raised the needs of Barnoldswick with her. I will continue to put forward Pendle’s business needs to Ministerial colleagues and hope Rolls-Royce nationally see that our area has the talent, skill and motivation that is truly worthy of investment,” he said.