Shadow Business Secretary Visits Britten-Norman's Bembridge Factory

East Wight MP Joe Robertson has welcomed the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Andrew Griffith MP, to the Isle of Wight for a visit to Britten-Norman's aircraft manufacturing facility in Bembridge.

The pair toured the factory, meeting members of the workforce and seeing first-hand how the iconic Islander aircraft is built.

First flown in 1965, the Islander has become one of the Isle of Wight's best-known engineering exports.

Following the return of full manufacturing to Bembridge, complete aircraft are once again being produced on the Island.

Britten-Norman is the UK's only independent commercial aircraft manufacturer and employs more than 100 people on the Isle of Wight.

During the visit, discussions focused on the future of British manufacturing, engineering skills and the UK's aerospace industry.

Joe Robertson MP said:

"Britten-Norman is one of the Isle of Wight's great manufacturing success stories.

"The skill, innovation and craftsmanship on display at Bembridge are something we can all be proud of.

"To have complete aircraft once again being built here on the Isle of Wight is a remarkable achievement and a real vote of confidence in our highly skilled local workforce.

"It was a pleasure to welcome Andrew to see first-hand the world-class engineering taking place here and to discuss the importance of supporting British manufacturing."

Andrew Griffith MP added:

"Businesses like Britten-Norman are exactly what Britain needs.

"They employ hundreds of local people and put places like the Isle of Wight on the map. But to succeed, they need to be supported."

More than 1,300 Islander aircraft have been built since production began, serving customers in more than 100 countries across six continents and accumulating around 20 million flying hours.