UK Government and Aerospace Firms Join Forces

Ministers and the British aerospace industry are preparing a co-ordinated response to the collapse of the £28bn merger between BAE Systems and EADS, the owner of Airbus, amid fears the UK will miss out on a multibillion-pound manufacturing windfall from the next generation of passenger aircraft and helicopters.

The government and UK-based aerospace companies including Rolls-Royce, GKN, Bombardier and AgustaWestland are drawing up a renewed strategic push for the industry that could be unveiled this month. It comes as the business minister, Michael Fallon, prepares to outline an export strategy for the marine industry on Monday.

Aerospace has been the focus of significant behind-the-scenes attention from the government in recent months. The forthcoming announcement is thought to include plans for an aerospace research centre, in addition to the centre of excellence for aerodynamics announced by George Osborne last year. It is understood the funding for the new centre was close to being announced in last year's autumn statement but now could be unveiled this month.

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