Government backing of the North East's burgeoning space industry would could act as a catalyst for its growth, a regional body has said.
The North East Space Leadership Group (NESLG) was responding to a parliamentary committee's review of the Government's response to recommendations it set out last year. John Bone, chair of the NESLG, which includes representatives from business, politics and academia, said its plans to establish a North East Space Hub would benefit from state assistance.
The calls came in response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's comments on Government progress against a series of recommendations laid out in a report which branded the approach to space policy as "disjointed and unclear" and said funding for regional space clusters was limited. Committee chair Greg Clark indicated there was still some way to go - criticising lack of action on the UK's Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities having lost access to the EU's Galileo System and a lack of transparency about the Government's acquisition of satellite communications company OneWeb.
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Mr Bone said: "We welcome many of the recommendations within the report, particularly related to supporting space clusters in regions and the implication of funding for regional research and development. The strategy for the North East includes the development of a North East Space Hub. This would act as a focus for the regional space industry and our regional academia to support collaborative research and development. Therefore, government assistance to help make this happen would act as a catalyst for the growth of the space industry within the North East.
"We also strongly support the development of talent, for the space industry. A cornerstone of North East Space Leadership Group strategy is to develop the necessary talent for the space sector through our strong connections with regional universities, schools and colleges and be internationally recognised as a source for strong space capabilities, talent and skills."
Mr Bone went on to say the North East has a strong heritage and capability in satellite communications - an area that was generating growth - and called for priority access to the OneWeb supply chain. Firms such e2E Group, Filtronic and NORSS are among the players, and last year global aerospace giant Lockheed Martin signalled the possibility of establishing a space factory in the region.
Speaking separately to her role as a member of the NESLG, Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah, who is Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, said: "From the purchase of OneWeb to the licencing issues of the failed launch Virgin Orbit launch, our space sector is being let down by a government that have shown for 13 years that they aren’t serious about science. It was no surprise at all that the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's described the approach to space policy across Government as “disjointed and unclear”.
"Labour know that the space sector can provide a launch pad for regional growth across the country, such as in the North East. With our long term industrial strategy, Labour will support our sovereign space capabilities, push technological boundaries, develop strategic interdependence with our allies, and deliver high skilled jobs to diverse groups."
A Government spokesperson said: "Thanks to our continued support, the UK is now home to one of the most innovative and attractive space sectors in the world, generating an income of £17.5bn a year and employing almost 49,000 people. Our National Space Strategy aiming to make the UK the leading provider of commercial small satellite launch in Europe by 2030."
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