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| £34m 'green' research at Airbus | £34m 'green' research at Airbus |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| As a result of the announcement, 50 jobs have been created at Filton, south Gloucester. | |
| 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". |
| Today's given the whole site a really good feeling John Marshall, Broughton engineer | Today's given the whole site a really good feeling John Marshall, Broughton engineer |
| 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 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 research programme will be led by the Broughton plant | The research programme will be led by the Broughton plant |
| 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. |
| The research includes developing new technology which will improve design and contribute to more fuel efficient aircraft. | The research includes developing new technology which will improve design and contribute to more fuel efficient aircraft. |
| An Airbus spokeswoman said that funding was available for the industry to "look at ways of achieving this for 2020. | An Airbus spokeswoman said that funding was available for the industry to "look at ways of achieving this for 2020. |
| The industry would "look at the research programmes we've done so far and see if they can move them forward. | The industry would "look at the research programmes we've done so far and see if they can move them forward. |
| "The research is geared to making them more environmentally-sensitive and more effective." | "The research is geared to making them more environmentally-sensitive and more effective." |
| 'Very encouraging' | 'Very encouraging' |
| Gordon McConnell, head of engineering at Airbus UK, said the project would "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". | Gordon McConnell, head of engineering at Airbus UK, said the project would "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". |
| Mr Morgan said it was a "joint effort" involving Wales, the south west and south east of England and Northern Ireland which would pave the way for the industry "to maintain its lead in wing technology". | Mr Morgan said it was a "joint effort" involving Wales, the south west and south east of England and Northern Ireland which would pave the way for the industry "to maintain its lead in wing technology". |
| It comes after recent knocks to workers' confidence over their future at the plant. | It 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. |
| Airbus chief executive Louis Gallois refused to confirm on Monday that the wings for the A350 would definitely be made at Broughton. | |
| Mr Gallois said he could not give a cast-iron promise regarding any one site, as all other sites would be looking for the same assurances. | Mr Gallois said he could not give a cast-iron promise regarding any one site, as all other sites would be looking for the same assurances. |
| But he did say that Broughton was the centre of excellence for wing production. | But he did say that Broughton was the centre of excellence for wing production. |
| John Marshall, a graduate engineer, said of Monday's announcement: "It's definitely going to give people an increased feeling of security within the whole of the UK aerospace industry. | John Marshall, a graduate engineer, said of Monday's announcement: "It's definitely going to give people an increased feeling of security within the whole of the UK aerospace industry. |
| "Today's given the whole site a really good feeling." | "Today's given the whole site a really good feeling." |
| Sally Derrick, who works in manufacturing operations, added: "It's obviously very encouraging because we need this manufacturing base to stay in Broughton." | Sally Derrick, who works in manufacturing operations, added: "It's obviously very encouraging because we need this manufacturing base to stay in Broughton." |