I’ll fight to protect every single job
MY priority, as your Member of Parliament, is to secure new high skilled jobs and training opportunities for our island and to protect every single job that we already have.
Over recent weeks there has been considerable speculation about the future of BAE Systems jobs at RAF Valley. I have spoken to the RAF, the MoD Ministerial Team and representatives from Unite to fully understand the position and I want to share what is really happening and to offer as much reassurance as possible.
Last month, the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems started routine consultation talks with the Unions about potential options for the renewal of the Hawk 2020 (training aircraft) support contract. Whenever consultation talks take place, various options are discussed, and the consultation process is intended to work towards decisions involving all parties.
Following the opening discussions, the Unite Union issued a press release stating that up to 186 jobs could be lost at the site over the next 13 years, as a result of efficiencies in support arrangements. I would like to reassure you that absolutely no decisions have been made. I have spoken with the Unite Regional Secretary and we are both committed to working together to keep good quality jobs here on Ynys Môn.
The MoD continues to work with BAE Systems and Unite to understand the impact of any decisions that might be taken. I will continue to work with Unite to protect local jobs. The consultation process will be running throughout the Autumn and I will be kept informed of progress.
RAF Valley makes an invaluable contribution to our local economy. Last month’s display by the Red Arrows in the skies above Ynys Môn highlighted the world leading training that the station provides and why we should all be proud of the military and civilian community, both serving and retired, who have made this training possible.
This Government is focused on delivering its levelling up agenda and to rural coastal communities like Anglesey this means jobs, skilled employment and investment. This is my priority too and I will fight to protect every single job.
Our Armed Forces have always been close to my heart. My great grandfather, grandfather and grandmother served in the RAF and my husband served as an officer in the Army. It is a privilege to represent a constituency that is home to the finest military aviation training centre in the world and I am truly honoured to have been selected as one of only a handful of MPs to join the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Last week I collected my uniform from the Wellington
Barracks in London and this week, between Wednesday and Friday, I will be in Swindon where I will be undertaking my induction onto the scheme.
For the remainder of this term I will be visiting a different RAF station across the UK every other week. I will be learning more about the training that RAF personnel undertake and the capabilities of the RAF in protecting the airspace of the United Kingdom and in projecting air power globally.
The scheme is designed to provide military training to MPs of the UK Parliament and seeks to educate representatives through first hand experience, thereby improving the quality of debate on military issues. I am truly looking forward to learning more
about our amazing Armed Forces and about how I can further support and champion the personnel at RAF Valley.
As ever, my team and I are here to serve you, the people of Ynys Môn. If you require assistance, please do get in touch via my website - virginiacrosbie.co.uk, where you can also sign up for my e-newsletter to receive monthly updates about my work on the island and Westminster.
Rwyf wrthi’n dysgu Cymraeg, ac mi fuaswn yn gwerthfawrogi eich cymorth, ynghyd a’r cyfle i gael ymarfer.
Pan fydd y cyfyngiadau ar symud trosodd, a petaech yn fy ngweld o gwmpas Ynys Môn, a fuasech mor garedig a fy nghyfarch yn y Gymraeg.
Diolch o galon.