Emma recently met with local aerospace companies – Moog and UCT – and representatives from Wolverhampton University, City Council and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance to discuss the bright future of the local aerospace industry.Two years ago, Emma re-established the then dormant All Party Parliamentary Group on Aerospace in order to highlight to government ministers the importance of the industry to the UK’s economy and future prosperity. British aerospace is the largest aerospace industry in Europe and second only globally to the United States. It directly employs 100,000 people and has a turnover of over £20 billion a year.

After the meeting, Emma said: “It was extremely useful to touch base with UCT and Moog as well as Wolverhampton University, City Council and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. The aerospace cluster in the north of Wolverhampton is a vital local employer and is going from strength to strength.”

“At the meeting, we discussed how we could work more closely together in the future and how to ensure that aerospace companies can recruit local people with the appropriate skills.”

“Aerospace is a long term industry. Decisions taken today will take years to come to fruition. The product cycle is much longer than other industries, such as the automotive sector. That’s why it is vital that there is a cross party consensus to support the industry. I established the All Party Parliamentary Group on Aerospace, which I now Chair, to forge and maintain that crucial cross party working.”