Government still leaving Great British business in the dark on Brexit
Stephen Morgan MP visited Airbus in Portsmouth today to discuss the space industry, Brexit, meet apprentices and view the clean rooms where local engineers work on world-leading satellites.
The Portsmouth South MP also warned that the Government risks holding the UK Space Industry back through its indecision on Brexit. The Government has yet to provide clarity on key issues, from freedom of movement to the future of European research cooperation and funding.
Airbus is the third largest aerospace and defence employer in the UK, with 1 in 60 jobs in Portsmouth calculated to be supported by the company and over 1,000 directly employed in the city. Airbus in Portsmouth designs, procures, integrates, and tests the payloads (‘brains’) of 25% of the world’s satellites.
However, there are fears that the no-deal Brexit proposed by the Government will put at risk the UK’s world-leading position in space exploration and utilisation. Many, though not afraid of a direct loss of jobs, are nonetheless concerned about a loss of competence.
A radical change in the UK’s relationship with the EU will inevitably require the redistribution of space industry workers, breaking up teams and increasing the difficulty of retaining skills and expertise.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Airbus is a Great British business in every sense, and our city should be proud that Portsmouth has lead at the forefront of satellite technology for over 50 years.
The Government must abandon no-deal, or risk abandoning one of our country’s most productive and highly skilled industries. This is a time when we should be increasing international cooperation in scientific research and funding, not retreating from it for the sake of the dogma of Tory backbenchers.
Seeing the fantastic work done by Portsmouth’s engineers up close reinforced to me just how important it is that protect the UKs aerospace and defence workers from the reckless ideology of the Government.
I’ll continue to keep the pressure up on Government to finally put our industry and city first when it comes to Brexit.”
