Support pledged to Lancashire's defence industry (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Support pledged to Lancashire's defence industry

9:39am Thursday 25th February 2010 in

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A GOVERNMENT minister has pledged support to the defence industry after lavishing praise on Lancashire’s aerospace sector.

Defence Minister Quentin Davies was in the county yesterday to open a second ‘satellite’ office for the Nelson-based North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA).

The pressure group, which represents firms from giants BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce to smaller manufacturers, has set up a base in Bamber Bridge to increase its workforce and give it quick access to the M6.

Yesterday, Mr Davies praised the “exemplary” NWAA supply chain excellence programme, which aims to offer world-class training to smaller aerospace companies.

He also claimed the Government was increasing defence spending after inflation was taken into consideration, despite industry worries that major schemes could be downsized or scrapped.

Mr Davies said ministers remained committed to the Eurofighter Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter projects, both of which are partly built in East Lancashire. The Defence Minister was joined in Lancashire by North West Development Agency boss Steven Broomhead.