(Secretary of State for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy): As part
of the Industrial Strategy, the Government committed to making
the most of the UK’s strengths, so we can be at the forefront of
emerging technologies and industries in the years ahead.
The Aerospace sector is a leading industrial sector for the UK
with particular strengths in the design, manufacture and support
of wings, engine as well as advanced systems such as landing gear
and cockpit technologies. These activities are an undoubted
strength of our economy; indeed, they are at the heart of the
nation’s competitive advantage.
Sector Deals are an extension of the Government’s close
partnership with sectors such as aerospace and we are building on
this through the Aerospace Growth Partnership with this Sector
Deal to ensure the UK maintains its leading position in the
global market. This Sector Deal signals a joint intention to
position the UK at the forefront of valuable emerging markets. It
will do this by:
- boosting innovation through a joint industry and government
investment in the Future Flight challenge, with up to £125m of
funding from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which
industry will match. This programme will invest in developing
demonstrators of new aircraft (such as drones and other electric
aircraft), new models of airspace management, new approaches to
ground support infrastructure and new markets for aircraft in
local areas.
- expanding the successful National Aerospace Technology
Exploitation Programme with joint funding from government and
industry to boost research and development projects led by small
and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
- supporting SMEs in the UK aerospace supply chain to boost
their competitiveness through a new productivity improvement
programme.
- committing the industry to embed a Women in Aviation and
Aerospace Charter to increase diversity and inclusion in the
sector.
- enhancing the joint working between the aerospace industry
and education providers to ensure a strong future pipeline of
talented people are available to ensure the UK aerospace sector
remains globally competitive.
The Aerospace Growth Partnership has seen us work with industry
to tackle barriers to growth, boost exports, and sustain high
value jobs across the breadth of the UK. Together we have taken
action to develop and implement initiatives to drive innovation,
develop new product and manufacturing technologies, and to
increase productivity. The Sector Deal is a key milestone in this
relationship. It will position the industry for the future by
developing new capability in exciting developments in air
transportation for people and goods through the introduction of
more electric and autonomous systems.
The aerospace sector has a turnover of £34.9billion, directly
employing 120,000 people, with productivity growth rates of 5%
year on year. But we are not complacent. This Deal will build on
our strengths and set the industry on course for future success.
