Government announces £45m investment in low-carbon aircraft

The development of new technology for low-carbon aircraft engines is to benefit from a £45m joint Government and industry investment.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, said three projects, led by British engineering giant Rolls-Royce through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), would be funded to research and develop ways to reduce carbon emissions by using lightweight composite materials to make new engines.

Government and businesses have invested heavily in aerospace in recent years in a bid to maintain the industry's position as the biggest in Europe, and second globally only to the US.

Three years ago the Government and companies in the sector pledged £1bn each as part of the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) to boost exports and promote competition. The £2bn investment is estimated to secure 115,000 high-value jobs.

One of the investments was the ATI, which opened last year, and aims to develop the next generation of faster, quieter and more energy-efficient aircraft, to maintain the position.

Aerospace has been one of the industries driving the UK’s economic recovery, contributing £24bn to the economy.

“We should be really proud that the UK is the number one aerospace industry in Europe and a world leader in innovation, Mr Clegg said.

“The Government’s investment of £45 million alongside industry will help to ensure the UK continues to build and design the planes of the future.

“I am working hard in the Coalition to ensure that aerospace continues to boost growth in the North East and across the country, building a stronger economy and doing it fairly.”

The research will focus on changing parts of the engine design to make it more efficient, as well as reducing the time it takes to build the engine, the Government said.

"These new technologies are vital to reducing emissions and underline the aerospace industry’s commitment to improving the environment," said Gary Elliott, chief executive of ATI.

Mr Clegg made the announcement alongside Vince Cable, Business Secretary, as the duo opened a £100m Rolls-Royce aerospace factory in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

The new factory will make more than 2,500 fan and turbine discs a year which are used in every engine. It will also safeguard hundreds of highly-skilled manufacturing jobs in the North East.

“The UK is at the forefront of the global aerospace industry, and investments such as this new factory from Rolls-Royce will help to keep us there," Mr Cable said.

"The projects that we are funding through our aerospace industrial strategy will ensure that Britain develops the efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft of the future, while keeping highly-skilled manufacturing jobs here in Britain.”