The sky's the limit for skills

Unite has strongly welcomed the government’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for the new medium lift helicopter (MLH) contract to the Leonardo factory in Yeovil. 

The government’s decision to award the contract follows a year plus campaign by Unite and its defence members to ensure that the contract was awarded. The awarding of the contract secures over 10,000 highly skilled jobs at Leonardo, its supply chain and the surrounding community.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has been campaigning for this government to buy British defence for over a year because it is vital for jobs and skills as well as national security.

“The Leonardo contract is a tremendous victory for Unite members in Yeovil and across the aerospace sector. Without their commitment, hard work and dedication, it would not be being signed today.

“Of course, we are pleased that Rachel Reeves has now listened to Unite on this issue. However, it took way too long to get this done, and we still have to question why workers were left in the dark until the 11th hour.”

Steve Preddy, Unite South West regional secretary added, “I’m delighted for everyone invested in Yeovil and its historic association with helicopter manufacture.

“I am also immensely proud of all our Unite South West members at Leonardo’s  who campaigned rigorously to secure the long term future  of the site.

“UK manufacturing needs strategic, long term investment for skills, apprenticeships, well paid union organised jobs, and Unite continues to campaign for sustainable commitment and transitional planning in all areas of UK Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, Engineering and the wider manufacturing base of the nation’s economy.”

The investment to keep helicopter manufacturing in South Somerset has also been welcomed by the local council, business and education providers including Yeovil College who work extensively with Leonardo Helicopters to develop engineering skills, apprenticeships and regional aerospace careers.

Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Councillor Mike Rigby, welcomed the news, and said “This is fantastic news for Yeovil and the people of Somerset – it’s a massive boost to our economy, our communities which provide the workforce at Leonardo, and young people at Yeovil College training for a bright future in this innovative and exciting field – the sky is the limit now for our county.” 

Mike added that “the award of this contract is a ringing endorsement of the skills base we have and are continuing to grow in Somerset.”

Following the announcement of the awarding of the MLH contract, Unite is renewing its call for the government to fully fund the defence investment plan (DIP) and deliver on the prime minister’s commitment to provide a British defence dividend.

In particular, as part of Unite’s back British workers defence campaign it is calling on:

•  The replacement of old RAF fighter jets with new Typhoons, fitted with Rolls Royce engines, equipped with British-built weapons from MBDA and assembled at BAE’s sites in Lancashire.

• Provisions for the MoDs Military Satellite Communications System (Skynet) to continue being built in Portsmouth and Stevenage, as it has for the last 20 years.

•  The purchase of the A400M military transport plane.

As part of the campaign on Wednesday (25 February) Unite held a rally at Downing Street and handed in a petition of approximately 10,000 people calling on the government to publish the DIP and deliver for British defence workers.

By Keith Hatch