Rolls-Royce is to invest £300 million in British factories as Healey hails 'new age of industrialisation'

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026.

Chancellor John Healey used his Labour Party Conference speech in Liverpool on Monday to announce that Rolls-Royce will pump £300 million into five UK manufacturing bases, covering Derby, Bristol, Glasgow, Rotherham and Warwickshire. The move, which Healey framed as evidence of "the new confidence in Britain", comes a month before he delivers his first Budget. Rolls-Royce said the cash will help its UK infrastructure meet manufacturing demand and support future aerospace programmes.

Glasgow's Inchinnan plant near the airport is to receive £43 million to introduce machinery for new engine components.

Healey also confirmed £6 billion of government contracts for British shipyards, including three floating docks for the Clyde's Faslane naval base built in the UK.

Since 2023, Rolls-Royce has invested more than £3 billion into the UK through research, engineering and facility upgrades.