Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy what discussions he ahs had with the Prime Minister on the proposals put to the Government to support the future of British engineering through the Brunel Challenge; and if he will take steps to provide support for the Brunel Challenge slingshot proposal put forward by the UK aerospace, defence, maritime, automotive and atomic energy sectors.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The Government recognises the value of British engineering capability and innovation. That is why we have already invested nearly £2 billion in the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, providing advice on market opportunities and technology. We have also committed with industry around £1 billion through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, to research, develop, and commercialise the next generation of low carbon technologies to keep the UK at the cutting edge of low carbon automotive innovations. We are also supporting the innovation of digital design through the £147 million Manufacturing Made Smarter Challenge.
At the last Budget, we set out plans for public investment in research and development to reach £22 billion?each year?by 2024/25, which is a record increase in spending.
As part of the upcoming Spending Review we will consider proposals for this investment, of which the Brunel Challenge and slingshot is one of many.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on the proposal submitted by ADS to the Government to establish a supply chain fund to support businesses in the aerospace and defence sectors; and if he will take steps to provide Government support for that initiative.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
We are in regular discussions with aerospace companies and ADS Group, through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, to consider what additional support the sector might need.
We are supporting investment in innovation and competitiveness by small and medium-sized businesses in the supply chain through our National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme, Sharing in Growth, and SC21 Competitiveness and Growth productivity programmes, which will receive over £135 million of public funding.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2020 to Question 59434, what progress has been made in assessing proposals for a scrappage scheme for older civil passenger aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The initial proposal from industry for a scrappage scheme for older civil large passenger aircraft was an outline. We assessed that it required further development in order for us to properly consider its potential impact on the UK aerospace and aviation industries. Discussions with industry are ongoing.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the aviation industry on plans for producing the world's first net zero long-haul passenger plane; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The Aerospace Technology Institute research programme supports zero emission aircraft research projects. We have held discussions with industry, including through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, about accelerating the development of clean aerospace technologies. Further discussion will take place through the Jet Zero Council, which will bring together Ministers and airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, fuel suppliers, academia, and environmental groups to provide leadership and strategic direction to position the UK as a global leader in clean aviation.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of supporting the scrappage of older civil aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
We recently received an industry proposal on a scrappage scheme for older civil large passenger aircraft and are assessing its potential impact on the UK aerospace and aviation industries.
UK airlines and aerospace manufacturers have already been boosted by £2.16 billion from the Covid Corporate Financing Facility. In addition, UK Export Finance expects to provide £3.5 billion of support for UK aerospace exports over the next 18 months. We also continue to invest heavily in technology to make our aviation sector greener and more sustainable, through our co-funded £3.9 billion Aerospace Technology Institute programme and £300 million Future Flight Challenge.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what levels of apprenticeship his Department offers; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) currently offers apprenticeships at Levels 2 to 6 and plans to also offer apprenticeships at Level 7.
BEIS was formed in July 2016. The table below shows apprenticeship starts from July 2016 to March 2017 and for 2017-18.
| Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
2016-17 | 2 | 8 | 21 | - | - |
2017-18 | - | 4 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the aerospace industry on ensuring that goods, products, and services will be able to swiftly cross the UK-EU border after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for aerospace. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and his Ministerial colleagues continue to engage closely with the industry, including through our joint government and industry Aerospace Growth Partnership. We will continue to work closely with a wide range of UK businesses to make sure we reflect their concerns and deliver a deep and special partnership with the EU that enables UK-EU trade to be is as frictionless as possible.