Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Rolls Royce regarding the (a) progress of the Ultrafan project in the UK and (b) potential opportunities for a commercial Ultrafan Engine to be built in the UK.

The Government recognises that a successful Rolls-Royce entry into the single aisle aircraft market could deliver significant UK economic benefits, including high value jobs and growth across the aerospace supply chain.

Rolls-Royce is a major UK employer and longstanding Government partner. We are discussing how any support could secure UK jobs, skills and long-term manufacturing, while delivering value for money for taxpayers. Building on the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, which has anchored world leading R&D in the UK and strengthened the domestic supply chain, any future support would be structured to maximise UK benefits.