This week, Kelly Tolhurst MP asked the ministerial team for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy during departmental oral questions, how they will ensure the UK aerospace supply chain will continue to have unhindered access to major opportunities within our manufacturing industries.
This is an important and growing sector within Rochester and Strood, with Airbus UK and Boeing supplier Aeromet currently based at Rochester Airport. Rochester has a proud and long aerospace history having formerly been home to the Short brothers’ flying boats production, as well as civilian flights to the continent.
Responding to Kelly’s questions, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jesse Norman MP, said the Aerospace Growth Partnership has been a great success in the way in which government has worked closely with industry. He added that the government has made a joint funding commitment with the industry for nearly £4bn of aerospace research between 2013 and 2026.
Following her question in the House of Commons, Kelly said,
“It is very welcome to receive assurance that the future of aerospace in Rochester and Strood and across the country is to relatively well-funded over the next decade.
“We do have a great history in the sector and it is fantastic that a positive environment is being set to allow small and medium sized businesses the opportunity to build on this success”