10.08.12
Investment and jobs announced for UK engineering
New jobs will be created to advance the UK’s engineering excellence, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced at a business summit held today.
A series of deals with UK companies will create jobs in the engineering, aerospace and automotive sectors, and investment will boost the country’s manufacturing capabilities.
Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing has signed an agreement to locate their advanced manufacturing campuses in the Hereford Enterprise Zone and Model Farm Ross-on-Wye, creating over 1,000 new jobs. Over 10% of these will be apprentices, and local spending power will be increased by £20m per year.
Airbus is to recruit 169 apprentices and graduates in September. Bifrangi has received permission for a new steel forge in Lincoln and will invest €50m (£39m), creating 50 and safeguarding 100 jobs.
Pirelli Group has announced a £20m investment in R&D and new process machinery; creating 37 new and protecting 120 UK jobs, while GKN plc investment of over £12m will increase the capacity of its facilities in Birmingham and Telford.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: “The skills and expertise of British businesses are gold medal standard and highly sought after across the world.
“The UK is one of the top ten manufacturers in the world. Our manufacturing sector is a national success story and lies right at the heart of our strategy for economic recovery and growth.
“The announcements being made today will create and safeguard jobs and stimulate growth. They are a welcome boost to British business and a vote of confidence in the UK.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The key to a sustainable and balanced economy is having a long-term approach to growth, investing in manufacturing technology, R&D and skills so we have the right talent to make the most of the recovery.
“Working with business, we are taking steps to strengthen the UK’s manufacturing capability, ensuring a better business environment that will address barriers to growth, encourage innovation, exports and inward investment as well as build UK supply chains.”
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