Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the industrial action by employees of Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick in response to the announcement by the company that they will move some production to Singapore; and what plans they have to meet representatives of the workforce at Barnoldswick to discuss the proposed move.

The Government believes that disputes are best handled through negotiation between the parties. Strikes and other forms of industrial action should be regarded as a last resort after attempts to resolve differences through dialogue have been exhausted. The independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), which is funded by the Government, stands ready to assist the parties in reaching an agreement, where they both accept its involvement. We would encourage the parties to avail themselves of Acas’ conciliation and mediation services.

The Department has regular bilateral dialogue with Unite and Union representatives involved in the Aerospace Growth Partnership, which is our main method of engaging with the UK aerospace industry.