Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti met with Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy today to discuss research and development funding for the aerospace sector.
Aerospace is a significant employer in Filton and Bradley Stoke, with thousands of employees working for British and global companies like Rolls-Royce, Airbus and GKN. Research and Development funding is allocated through the Aerospace and Technology Institute. Recent investments have included £27 million for GKN to help fund their H2GEAR programme, which aims to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could be scaled up to larger aircraft.
ATI is funded with £150 million in central government investment annually. During the discussion, Jack and Kwasi talked about how we can make further funding available to safeguard jobs and industry in our area.
Commenting, Jack Lopresti MP said:
I have been a passionate supporter of our aerospace industry since I was elected in 2010; they are significant local employers and a feather in the cap of our area.
I was very encouraged by Kwasi’s commitments to seeking to increase funding in R&D, which will be vital to developing our fantastic local industries and helping the Government aim for our net zero target.
I invited him to come and visit our area, and look forward to him doing so in the summer.
