Rolls-Royce ponders ‘technical’ shift to Germany

Derby-based manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce is reportedly considering shifting the design approval process of its jet engines business to Germany in a “techical move” that it says will avoid any disruption brought about by Brexit.

Rolls-Royce said the move was one of several on the table, but that it wouldn’t mean any jobs being lost in the UK, reports Sky News. The Derby firm said it was in “regular dialogue” with the government over its Brexit plans.

Rolls-Royce is said to be considering the switch as aircraft safety and the design approvals process are two of the things the government still hasn’t reached a deal on ahead of next May’s divorce date from the EU.

A Rolls-Royce spokesman told Sky News: “Across all of our operations, Rolls-Royce is working to ensure there is no interruption in our service to customers as a result of Brexit.

“We are in regular dialogue with the Government about this.

“As you would expect, we have to consider what contingency measures we may need to take to ensure our operations in the UK and elsewhere can continue, and these may in the future include the transfer of the design approval for our large jet engines from the UK to Germany.”