Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, has urged the Government to help struggling aerospace companies by awarding procurement contracts as quickly as possible.
In a question to Defence Ministers in Parliament yesterday (1st February), Jane asked the Government to do everything it can to issue procurement contracts quickly to help the sector recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “So many industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, including aerospace and engineering companies in Wolverhampton North East. I am delighted to hear about more and more procurement contracts. What steps is the Government taking to start as many of those contracts as quickly as possible, so that we can really help our industrial economic recovery?”
Wolverhampton is home to several aerospace companies including Collins Aerospace in Pendeford and Moog at the i54 site. Last year Collins announced plans to make more than 250 employees redundant. The aerospace sector has suffered particularly badly as the pandemic has reduced international travel to minimal levels.
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin MP said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have made certain to maintain the drumbeat of existing orders so that they have continued. Through the interim payments scheme, we have helped to support defence companies with cash where that has been required.
“It is right that core defence decisions are taken on an holistic basis in the context of the integrated review. However, we have, where possible, advanced procurement in particular on improvements to the defence estate, where tens of millions of pounds of improvements are ongoing as we speak.”
ENDS
