Engineers urge action on aircraft production

The UK needs to take steps now to lead the way in the development of new technologies like renewable and intelligent passenger aeroplanes, according to a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2011, 09:06 BST

The country is currently the second biggest aerospace manufacturer in the world, but growing competition from emerging nations like China means it could risk losing its position.

The report Aero 2075: Flying into a bright future? report sets out recommendations to enable the UK to tap into enormous sales. In the next 20 years, there are potential sales of 25,000 new aircraft, set to be worth over £2 trillion, it said.

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Stephen Tetlow, chief executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “Now is the time for industry and Government to focus on sectors that can help lift the country’s economy.

“The UK aerospace sector already employs over 100,000 people around the country and is worth over £29bn a year to our economy, but we need to take action now to ensure this sector can continue to thrive and grow.

“There is great potential for new UK aerospace technologies, but in order to compete with emerging nations, we need to set up a strategic vision for UK aerospace, establish a new dedicated aerospace research body and restore research and development funding to pre-recession levels.”

Yorkshire-based manufacturers for the aerospace industry include Rolls Royce, Boeing and Group Rhodes.

Related topics:EngineersGovernmentChinaYorkshire