Somerset Council welcome Leonardo helicopter contract
The agreement between the Government and Leonardo secures thousands of jobs at its Yeovil site
Somerset Council have welcomed the announced that a major contract to build new helicopters has been awarded to Leonardo in Yeovil.
The £1 billion contract for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will safeguard 3,300 jobs at the site and around 12,000 in the wider supply chain across the UK.
Leonardo will supply 23 medium-lift helicopters to the UK's armed forces as part of the deal.
Somerset Council, working with Yeovil MP Adam Dance, supported Leonardo's bid for the order.
A decision on the contract was delayed last autumn and Council Leader Bill Revans wrote a joint letter with Yeovil MP Adam Dance MP to the MoD to underline vital importance of it for the local community, businesses, the county and the UK.
Meanwhile, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Councillor Mike Rigby met Minister of State Lord Coaker with Taunton MP Gideon Amos MP to discuss the issue.
Councillor Rigby said he is delighted with the Government's decision:
"This is fantastic news for Yeovil and the people of Somerset – it’s a massive boost to our economy, our communities which provide the workforce at Leonardo, and young people at Yeovil College training for a bright future in this innovative and exciting field – the sky is the limit now for our county.” he added.
"It is crucial for businesses in Somerset and across the South West.
"Our iAero facility in Yeovil is working in partnership with Leonardo at the cutting edge of Aerospace development – the award of this contract is a ringing endorsement of the skills base we have and are continuing to grow in Somerset.
"Yeovil MP Adam Dance has done an amazing job banging the drum on this and we would like to thank him wholeheartedly."