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| £34m 'green' research at Airbus | £34m 'green' research at Airbus |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A £34m investment aimed at developing greener aircraft has been confirmed for the Airbus factory in Flintshire. | A £34m investment aimed at developing greener aircraft has been confirmed for the Airbus factory in Flintshire. |
| The UK government will provide £17m towards the Integrated Wing programme at the plant in Broughton. | The UK government will provide £17m towards the Integrated Wing programme at the plant in Broughton. |
| Trade and Industry secretary Alistair Darling, First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the chief executive of Airbus Louis Gallois are visiting the plant. | Trade and Industry secretary Alistair Darling, First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the chief executive of Airbus Louis Gallois are visiting the plant. |
| Mr Darling said the research project meant Britain was "leading the drive for greener aerospace technology". | Mr Darling said the research project meant Britain was "leading the drive for greener aerospace technology". |
| The factory employs about 7,000 people making wings, including for the world's largest airliner, the A380. | The factory employs about 7,000 people making wings, including for the world's largest airliner, the A380. |
| Mr Darling explained why the UK government was backing the project, calling British excellence in aerospace design, development and delivery "world renowned". | Mr Darling explained why the UK government was backing the project, calling British excellence in aerospace design, development and delivery "world renowned". |
| We can't fight technology, we have to embrace it Broughton works convenor Robert Dowey | We can't fight technology, we have to embrace it Broughton works convenor Robert Dowey |
| He said: "This project looks to the future of aircraft design and brings together our best from the drawing board to the factory floor. | He said: "This project looks to the future of aircraft design and brings together our best from the drawing board to the factory floor. |
| "By being smart and working as one - from wings to landing gear, fuel systems to electronics - we can lead. | "By being smart and working as one - from wings to landing gear, fuel systems to electronics - we can lead. |
| "Innovation and creativity like this are crucial if we are to win in the global economy." | "Innovation and creativity like this are crucial if we are to win in the global economy." |
| The research programme will be led by the Broughton plant but will involve other technology companies and four universities across the UK. A total of 17 organisations will take part. | |
| The UK government said it was a "core element" of the UK's aerospace technology strategy and could lead to a "step change" in future civil aircraft wing design. | The UK government said it was a "core element" of the UK's aerospace technology strategy and could lead to a "step change" in future civil aircraft wing design. |
| Competitive position | Competitive position |
| Gordon McConnell, Head of Engineering at Airbus UK, said: "A validation programme of this magnitude demonstrates Britain's commitment to playing a key role in meeting the challenges of sustainable aviation. | Gordon McConnell, Head of Engineering at Airbus UK, said: "A validation programme of this magnitude demonstrates Britain's commitment to playing a key role in meeting the challenges of sustainable aviation. |
| "This is a very exciting project, which will provide a platform for future innovative aircraft designs and will help to ensure that Airbus and our partners in this programme will retain our competitive position." | "This is a very exciting project, which will provide a platform for future innovative aircraft designs and will help to ensure that Airbus and our partners in this programme will retain our competitive position." |
| The research involves business and university teams | |
| The announcement comes after recent knocks to workers' confidence over their future at the plant. | The announcement comes after recent knocks to workers' confidence over their future at the plant. |
| Airbus's parent company EADS plans to outsource half the work on its latest plane, the A350. | Airbus's parent company EADS plans to outsource half the work on its latest plane, the A350. |
| And there are indications Airbus could start manufacturing in China and India. | And there are indications Airbus could start manufacturing in China and India. |
| However, union leaders are hoping for no more than a freeze on recruitment at Broughton. | However, union leaders are hoping for no more than a freeze on recruitment at Broughton. |
| Works' convenor at the Broughton plant Robert Dowey welcomed the investment news. | Works' convenor at the Broughton plant Robert Dowey welcomed the investment news. |
| He said: "We can't fight technology, we have to embrace it and make sure that we can control which part of it we can to ensure at least it's done in the UK." | He said: "We can't fight technology, we have to embrace it and make sure that we can control which part of it we can to ensure at least it's done in the UK." |
| Globalisation meant that the factory could not remain the sole supplier of wings for Airbus, Mr Dowey added. | Globalisation meant that the factory could not remain the sole supplier of wings for Airbus, Mr Dowey added. |
| "We wish we could ...but unfortunately that's not within our remit. | "We wish we could ...but unfortunately that's not within our remit. |
| "All we can do is make sure we're the most cost effective and the absolute world class wing producer in the UK which is what we try to emulate." | "All we can do is make sure we're the most cost effective and the absolute world class wing producer in the UK which is what we try to emulate." |