On 20 November the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEISC) of the House of Commons (Lower House) of the Westminster Parliament published the written evidence for its Brexit inquiry on the British aerospace industry.

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the BEISC, said: ‘The evidence we have received suggests the impact of Brexit and increased customs checks could mean a potential £1.5bn in added costs for the UK aerospace sector. That is extremely worrying.’

One section of the evidence is that concerning navigation systems: ‘Post-Brexit, the UK should seek full and unfettered access to EU Research and Innovation programmes post 2020, continuing to contribute as full and voting members of strategic programme committees. Such access should include ongoing participation of UK businesses to existing EU and Horizon 2020 projects, the planned European Defence Research Programme, as well as EU coordinated Space programmes such as Copernicus and Galileo. In addition, reciprocal rights for researchers to move freely across Europe to engage, participate and lead EU funded research projects in which the UK is involved, would be vital.’