THE Scottish Government will "continue to do everything we possibly can" to support hundreds of workers laid off at a Rolls-Royce factory in Renfrewshire, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Around 700 jobs are expected to be axed in Inchinnan as part of plans to shed 9000 staff globally.
The Scottish factory, which creates compressor blades and seals for planes, currently employs about 1300 people.
Responding to Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby during First Minister's Questions, Sturgeon said: "News the workers at Rolls-Royce in Inchinnan will have got this morning is absolutely devastating and my thoughts are very much with them and their families today.
"The Scottish Government will continue to do everything we possibly can to get a more positive outcome to this.
"These jobs are important, the Rolls-Royce facility is important and, of course, advanced manufacturing is very important in terms of the Scottish economy."
The First Minister said she will be working with trade unions, though state aid regulations may be a constraint to financial support.
She told Bibby she will try to bring together a "Team Scotland" approach to safeguarding the jobs.
A Rolls-Royce spokeswoman said the firm understands it is "a terrible and devastating prospect" for workers and communities affected.
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