Declares that the Petitioners support workers at BAE Systems in Brough in their fight to save Humber jobs.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to support the defence industry by investing in modern manufacturing and regeneration around the Humber and to preserve skilled jobs and apprenticeships in the Humberside area.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Diana Johnson, Official Report, 14 December 2011; Vol. 537, c. 891 .]
[P000990]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills:
Government are acting to support those whose livelihoods are threatened and mitigate the impact of any job losses on the local economy. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Ministry of Defence are in regular contact with BAE Systems and we understand that the company has been exploring all options to avoid unnecessary job losses. Government have put in place the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service to provide a range of support measures, such as training, alongside those offered by BAE Systems.
The Government are doing all they can to work with local partners to encourage new companies and investment into the area. This includes announcing two Enterprise Zones on the Humber which, through a combination of fiscal incentives and a simplified planning regime, will generate both businesses and jobs; helping to rebalance the economy and drive local and national growth. In particular, work is under way to attract offshore wind turbine manufacturers and their supply chain. In addition, the Government have made a conditional offer under the Regional Growth Fund which includes support for offshore wind skills and training programmes on the Humber North Bank, including delivery of 600 apprenticeship places in engineering and 1,000 upskilling qualifications. Government are supporting the defence industry’s export efforts through the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation and across Government. We also hope that the Talent Retention Solution website (www.talentretention.biz) will help connect those skilled people looking for a new job in advanced manufacturing and engineering with potential employers.
BAE Systems have confirmed their strong commitment to apprentices and, where individuals are unable to complete their apprenticeships at the Brough site, the Apprenticeship programme has sufficient flexibility to allow those affected to move to other sites to complete their training. Government have committed to help more people benefit from high quality Apprenticeships. On 16 November 2011, Government announced new financial incentives to help small businesses take on a first apprentice aged 16-24 and, in December, confirmed that funding for Apprenticeships in 2012-13 will be increased to over £1.5 billion.