Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 9 January (HL Deb, col 1728), what steps are being taken to maintain the skilled workforce at GKN Yeovil.

This Government fully recognises the capabilities of the UK aviation sector and the contribution that its skilled people make to our defence capability and national prosperity. This includes those engaged in supporting our helicopter capabilities in Yeovil. GKN has offered to relocate all of its skilled employees affected by the closure of its Yeovil site and, where individuals are not able to relocate, the Government has been providing support.

The best way to maintain the skilled workforce is through a thriving and competitive aerospace industry. The Ministry of Defence has a ten-year Strategic Partnering Arrangement in place with Leonardo Helicopters, and anticipates spending around £3 billion with the company over the next decade to upgrade and support our helicopter fleets. This, together with the work that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is doing on the Aerospace Growth Partnership and the Defence Growth Partnership, will undoubtedly be of benefit to the wider Yeovil region.