On Thursday I was pleased to be invited to Airbus’ Broughton site in Wales in my role as Shadow Defence Procurement Minister, where I was able to see their Baluga XL transport plane fly in from Toulouse. The Beluga had flown in to collect plane wings for the Airbus 320, manufactured using their skilled local workforce, 2000 of whom come from the Liverpool city region. The wings are taken to Toulouse for final assembly before delivery to airline clients across the world.

The Beluga XL is adapted from Airbus’ 330 model and is able to carry four completed wings in the specially extended hold. There are only six in the world and can often be seen flying over South Liverpool and, if necessary due to high winds at Broughton, landing at Liverpool John Lennon. It was a tremendous sight to see and I had the privilege of helping push the plane into place after landing.

While there I met with some of the veterans that Airbus have employed and who are encouraged to join their company veterans group, as well as representatives from Unite trade union and some of their apprenticeship programme.