- Antony Higginbotham MP spoke in PMQ’s about the UK’s next generation combat aircraft - Team Tempest.
- He raised the importance of utilising the world class aerospace sector within Burnley and Padiham, calling for production to take place in Lancashire.
With the UK’s next generation fighter aircraft programme continuing to take shape, and the importance of air power highlighted by the war in Ukraine, Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham has highlighted Lancashire’s expertise in aircraft design and production in the House of Commons.
In a question to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, Antony said:
The Global Combat Air Programme, including Team Tempest, is vital for UK national security and for the world class aerospace cluster we’ve got in Lancashire, with many businesses in Burnley and Padiham.
This aircraft will protect UK skies, give the RAF the tools it needs for the future, and deepen our relationship with allies like Japan and Italy.
So can I ask the Prime Minister, with a refresh of the Integrated Review taking place, to commit not just to the design and development of this aircraft, but to its production in Lancashire too? Providing skilled jobs for generations to come - for my constituents, and residents all across the county of Lancashire.
Team Tempest includes a number of major Lancashire manufacturers that the MP was referencing, including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and SMEs in the supply chain.
Responding, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
I was delighted to announce this landmark international partnership with Japan and Italy in December. Team Tempest partners already employ 2,500 people in the UK, with over 1,200 in the North West.
And as we are making more progress we’re going to continue to invest in skills and technology at the BAE systems factory of the future in Lancashire.
As one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world, Lancashire is already a major partner in the manufacturing of the most advanced aircraft in the world - the F-35 fighter - as well as the Typhoon which forms the backbone of the Royal Air Force. Securing production work on Tempest and the GCAP would secure thousands of jobs for decades to come.
Commenting after Prime Minister’s Questions, Antony said:
Tempest, and the wider GCAP programme, is already seeing the very best engineering minds come together to deliver a sixth-generation combat aircraft that is more advanced than anything in the world today. And it’s no surprise that a big part of that is taking place in Lancashire.
I will keep lobbying Government, and working with fellow Lancashire MPs, to ensure local businesses can play their part in this through the supply chain, as well as championing full production at the world class BAE Systems factory just down the road in Samlesbury.
That’s good for the thousands of local jobs it would secure, the huge number of apprenticeships it would generate, and the positive impact it will have for our local economy.
