ADS: Government must refresh its Brexit strategy
The Government must refresh its Brexit strategy and reach out to a wider community to build consensus for its negotiating priorities.
It is important all the potential options for a successful Brexit remain on the table, ADS says today. These would include access to the single market, membership of the customs union, remaining within European regulatory regimes and examining the controls on freedom of movement.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“The political context in the UK and elsewhere in Europe has changed. We now have a vital opportunity to refresh our approach, with a greater focus on building consensus and a more constructive tone towards goals we share with our European partners.
“Last week, the country signalled it wanted a more collaborative approach. The Government needs to build a strong consensus on the priorities and options for a successful Brexit.
“No deal is the worst outcome for the UK and Europe. Finding the best agreement will require compromise and pragmatic decisions by the UK and its European partners.”
The call for a refresh of the Government’s Brexit strategy from aerospace, defence, security and space trade association ADS came ahead of the opening of the Paris Air Show on Monday 19 June.
ADS today launched its UK Aerospace Outlook 2017, showing the industry recorded strong growth of eight per cent last year, with annual turnover reaching £31.8bn.
Key figures include:
- UK aerospace sector turnover grew £2.4bn to £31.8bn, taking growth over five years to 39 per cent.
- Aerospace productivity has grown by 19 per cent since 2010, compared to just 3 per cent achieved across the rest of the UK economy.
- Six out of 10 companies in the sector expect growth of more than 10 per cent this year.
- The sector employs 120,000 people in the UK, including 3,800 apprentices.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt added:
“Aerospace is one of the foundation stones of the UK economy and it continues to grow, delivering high value jobs and billions of pounds of vital manufacturing exports. But like any other sector it faces challenges and cannot afford to be complacent.
“The UK’s long-term prosperity depends on healthy high value manufacturing sectors and the Government must put further political and financial commitment behind its industrial strategy for aerospace, or risk the UK losing out to overseas competitors.”
Notes to Editors
- ADS Group is the UK trade organisation representing the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
- The 2017 Aerospace Outlook is available online at: https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/facts/uk-aerospace-outlook-report-2017/
- ADS has this week also published its annual Facts and Figures guide to its four sectors: https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/blog/paul-everitt-launch-ads-facts-figures-2017-adsfacts/
- For more information on ADS policy relating to the UK’s exit from the European Union, visit: https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/industry-issues/leavingtheeu/