Extract from Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy oral questions - Jan 31

Kelly Tolhurst (Rochester and Strood) (Con): Rochester and Strood has a proud aerospace history, having had the Short Brothers iconic flying boats. It is now home to Aeromet, an important SME that is part of the supply chain for Airbus. Will my hon. Friend outline how his Department will ensure that the UK aerospace supply chain will continue to have unhindered access to major opportunities in our manufacturing industries?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Jesse Norman): As my hon. Friend will know, the Aerospace Growth Partnership has been a great success, with the Government working closely with industry. As part of that, the Government have made a joint funding commitment with the industry for nearly £4 billion of aerospace research between 2013 and 2026, so I think that the future is relatively well funded.