Value added benefits

. The aerospace sector is a crucial industry for the Northwest region, with the added value created by the advanced engineering capabilities available being up to five times higher than the regional average, which leverages its importance to the economy. The same is true for the aerospace and advanced engineering sector throughout the UK. High level manufacturing has to be a key element of the economy and a priority for the future.

In aerospace and defence the UK market is second only to the USA, boasting 17% of the global civil aerospace market, so we can make things in Britain. The potential workload in civil aerospace and defence is increasing and whilst emerging economies are keen to establish aerospace as a key strategic industry, the UK has the capacity to use its position to become more knowledge focused to further increase its value.

As an industry, what do we need from Government? We are entering an election period and a potential change in the country's leadership and the rhetoric has already started. The industry's needs are the same whatever party ends up in Government and the needs are the same in each region. Aerospace is a long term industry. It needs a long term view from Government and cannot adapt to short term policies.

We need to plan for a sustainable aviation platform given the reliance on air travel in the world economy and this will entail long term investment in research and development. We need to recognise the importance of defence in the UK economy, a significant contributor to UK exports, and a source of high value employment.

Skills planning and development is fundamental to the high technology industrial base. The UK has a history of technology based innovation. Failure to attract our young people to the STEM subjects will highly detrimental to our economy. Companies need to understand the need to maintain pressure on improving capability, efficiency and market awareness to maintain our global competitive position. We also need to focus on priority markets such as India and China.

From a regional perspective there is talk of scrapping regional development agencies. Scrapping seems to be somewhat radical and raises the issue of industry operating around a vacuum if there is a change of Government whilst some other mechanism is put in place. If there are issues around these regional organisations, surely it is better to decide what bits work and what don't in order to improve.

That's how industry operates. It rarely throws the baby out with the bathwater. A business focus on regional economic development is essential for economic growth and each region has its own characteristics and priorities. To ensure this can happen, any regional restructuring needs to take into account the need for stability, consistency and continuity of support.

Manufacturing is now said to be part of a ‘balanced economy', something that those of us steeped in advanced manufacture welcome and feel is long overdue, but the status of our industry needs to be enhanced in the wider population of the country if we are to sustain our potential in the world. We need the recognition that it is a vital, long term industry providing real wealth and real knowledge to a sustainable economy as well as providing a future for our emerging workforce.

www.aerospace.co.uk