Engine orders secure defence jobs

Workers at Roll Royce's factory in South Gloucestershire have welcomed orders of two new aircraft carriers - securing jobs at the site.

The order means four gas turbine engines, two for each warship, will be built at the Filton site.

Unite, the union said it had believed cuts in defence budgets could have delayed the order by two years.

"We've breathed a sigh of relief here - any delay would have impacted [jobs] but we are not sure by how much."

Uncertainty is part-and-parcel of the defence industry Alistair Fraser, Unite the Union

The Unite spokesman said there was plenty of good business for the Filton site.

"Yesterday [Wednesday] we had the announcement about the Superlynx, we have the Joint Strike Fighter and are waiting for news on phase three of the Eurofighter.

"Uncertainty is part-and-parcel of the defence industry."

Defence Secretary John Hutton announced Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers are likely to enter service one or two years later than expected, following a review of spending.

But work on the £4bn project will begin next spring, with the vessels entering service in 2014 and 2016.