Job Losses at Airbus

Part of 7. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:27 pm on 1 July 2020.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 3:27, 1 July 2020

I'll just unmute. Thank you. Yes, this is dreadful, dreadful news for north-east Wales and the wider region and economy. I attended a briefing last evening with Airbus, alongside north-east Wales Conservative MPs, who explained that they're facing the most serious global crisis in the history of our industry and that the more formalised announcements on where the job losses will fall will come tomorrow. I hope that you'll tell us what plans you have in place—I'm sure you have—for tomorrow to be ready to respond, once the gaps are filled in, and, obviously, building on the assurance that this will be focused on voluntary rather than compulsory redundancies.

We heard from Airbus that they are talking to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and have been for some time, as well as yourselves, asking, in particular, for support for a shorter working week. I'd welcome your understanding of the position on that, at present, and what the Welsh Government's view might be.

Simon Hart, the Secretary of State, has said that there's been £10 billion' worth so far of UK investment in the aviation industry and that they'll keep doing that because they want it to survive. Again, I'd be interested to know what engagement you have, or will be having with your colleagues in BEIS regarding those comments.

And finally, if you could just mention the apprenticeship scheme. I know that Airbus has acknowledged positively the support that Welsh Government is providing for the apprenticeship scheme and that it's moving to staggered start dates and reduced class sizes. But, what could the Welsh Government do to support extended schemes in the future to enable new-start entrants to be hopefully there for recovery in the future?