Context
The Northern Irish economy is projected to face a prolonged downturn. The aerospace sector has been particularly affected with significant job losses at Bombardier and Thompson Aero.
Question
Emma Lewell-Buck questioned why the Secretary of State had not put pressure on the Treasury to accelerate defence procurement programmes to mitigate further decline in the aerospace industry, despite its critical importance.
Answer from Robin Walker (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) (Con)
The hon. Lady is right that the covid-19 outbreak has had a severe impact on the aviation and aerospace sectors around the world. The UK Government have already provided significant support to the sector, including through the business interruption loan scheme, the job retention scheme and £2.1 billion through the covid corporate financing facility, with additional flexibility from UK Export Finance. Of course we will have contact with Ministers at the Ministry of Defence, and we are always happy to work with the sector to promote job opportunities in Northern Ireland.
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