October 12, 2017 4.15 pm This story is over 76 months old

MP calls for parliamentary debate on future of Red Arrows

An MP has called for a debate on the future of the Red Arrows.

An MP from Hull has called for a debate in the House of Commons on the future of the Red Arrows, which are currently based at RAF Scampton.

This comes after BAE Systems, which produced the Red Arrows’ Hawk T1 aircraft, announced plans to cut 2,000 jobs in the UK.

These cuts would see 400 job losses at the firm’s Brough site in East Yorkshire – which currently produces parts for the Red Arrows’ aircraft.

Now, Hull MP Diana Johnson, along with the support of Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, has called for a parliamentary debate over the Red Arrows’ future.

It has been suggested that the Red Arrows’ aircraft need replacing and this is something which could be done by BAE Systems, and therefore save jobs, however the Ministry of Defence previously confirmed no new Hawk jets are needed for another 13 years.

Diana Johnson said in the House of Commons: “I think this is timely, in light of the announcement from BAE Systems this week, that we have this discussion about the future of the Red Arrows.”

Andrea Leadsom added: “We’d all pay tribute to the excellent displays put on by the Red Arrows – not least of which at the British Grand Prix in my constituency at Silverstone Circuit where they fly overhead every year.

“I think it’s a fantastic sight and they do a brilliant job, so I would absolutely support the honourable lady.”