North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has this week asked the Welsh Brexit Minister what action the Welsh Government is taking to develop the Aerospace Sector Deal with the UK Government, Airbus and other aerospace sector companies in Wales.
Mr Isherwood raised the matter yesterday during a questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles AM, on the impact of any kind of Brexit on the economy of north-east Wales.
He said:
“We have Airbus in north-east Wales, which has made its own concerns known. If we don't have a transition deal, then perhaps those who voted against the Prime Minister's deal should consider the risks that they have added of that not happening.
“However, on a positive note, and despite potential outcomes in this context, the UK defence and aerospace industry recorded a £10 billion increase in deals over the last 12 months, with the total deals valued at £31 billion. Last month, Airbus welcomed the announcement of the Aerospace Sector Deal - providing, they said, ‘a firm commitment to the UK’s investment in research and design, an inclusive and productive aerospace sector and one that embraces the technology of tomorrow’, including a commitment (the Future Flight Challenge) to £125 million of funding to be matched by Airbus and industry.
“Are you able to tell us, notwithstanding that this might stretch beyond your brief, what discussions you've had with your colleagues in Welsh Government over what their role might be or already is in developing the Aerospace Sector Deal with the UK Government, Airbus and other aerospace sector companies in Wales?”
The Minister told Mr Isherwood “There is work going on in relation to that”.
He added: “We all know, as the Member indicated in his question, that Airbus was one of the companies that were very clear about their position if we were to leave the European Union without the transition deal. I take issue with the premise of the Member's question. It isn't the case that the only alternative to the Prime Minister's deal is no deal, which we believe would be very, very bad news indeed for Wales. The opportunity now exists for the Prime Minister to reach out across the House of Commons and seek to negotiate a deal with other parties that reflects the principles that are set out in 'Securing Wales' Future' and that this Assembly have endorsed, most recently in early December.”
Mr Isherwood added: “Of course MPs rejection of the Withdrawal Deal negotiated between the UK Government and the EU increases the risk of a ‘no deal’ exit, fuelled by continuing Labour Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru attempts to betray the referendum result in Wales. Behind all the political smoke and gunfire regarding the detailed future trade relationship and customs arrangements, we should remember that the March 2018 transition deal between the UK and EU means that these are only to be agreed during the implementation period which follows approval of the Withdrawal Deal!”.
