It has been estimated that the UK’s Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries have an annual turnover of £65 billion, and support exports of £35 billion, 340,000 direct jobs and 10,400 apprenticeships. Key aspects of the UK’s industrial base are involved, for example in the production of jet engines and the wings for most Airbus planes.

The trade body for these industries, the A/D/S, has stated that its key concerns include -

* the relationship with the regulatory regime of the European Aviation Safety Agency ‘EASA’

* access to the Single Market, without tariffs and cumbersome customs arrangements

* the relationship between the UK industry and European R&D

* access to skilled labour

* transitional arrangements.