Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that there are concerns among safety regulators within the UK aerospace industry about preparations for a no-deal Brexit scenario; and what support, if any, they can give to ensure that that sector is prepared for a no-deal Brexit.

Exiting the EU without a deal would be in neither side’s interests. We remain confident the UK and the EU will agree a mutually advantageous deal where people right across Europe benefit from liberal aviation market access. We are working hard to secure this outcome.

However, a responsible government should prepare for all potential outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached. We are working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to prepare and equip the UK to be ready for a non-negotiated exit.

There has been cross-government engagement with key stakeholders across the aerospace sector since the referendum, which has informed and will continues to inform our thinking.

Being outside the EU will not change the UK’s approach to aviation safety. We are absolutely clear that the UK will continue to be a world leader in this field.