The first oral questions to the newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) took place in the House of Commons today.

The value of the UK Aerospace industry led the session, with the first question from Bath MP Ben Howlett highlighting the vital jobs and growth the sector provides in the West of England.

The Secretary of State Greg Clark gave this “very important sector for the economy” his “wholehearted support” and talked about his first ministerial visit in his new role – a meeting with the Aerospace Growth Partnership at the Farnborough International Airshow in July.

Several MPs also raised the importance of industrial strategy throughout the session and it was good to hear the Secretary of State say that the government will work with the breadth of British industry to create the conditions for future success and will seek to build on our existing strong foundations. The Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) is one of the UK’s most advanced industrial strategies, bringing industry and government together to create a stable environment that encourages growth, secures long-term investment, boosts employment and enables UK companies to compete in tough international markets.

Yesterday the AGP hosted an event in the House of Commons to brief MPs on the value of this successful industrial strategy and provide an overview of the next phase of AGP initiatives. Find out more online here.