Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has this afternoon welcomed increase in UK defence exports which employs over 300,000 people around the country, many of whom are employed in Crawley, and generates over £35 billion every year for the country’s economy.[1]  Representing ten per cent of Great Britain’s high technology manufacturing, it is the number one exporter in Europe and second globally only to the United States of America.

Following his Parliamentary Question during Defence Questions in the House of Commons earlier today, Henry said: 

“I welcome the news that UK defence exports are on the increase together with the contributions that the industry makes to our national economy and the number of highly skilled jobs there are available. 

“Manor Royal based firm, Thales UK, plays a central role as part of the UK defence industry as the UK’s second largest defence electronics supplier supporting new technologies such as the Typhoon Fighter plane and the Watchkeeper system.  Employing over 8,000 people, Thales UK has invested over £2 billion into the national economy over the past decade and represents a real asset for the local community.”

Follow Henry daily via: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp; http://www.youtube.com/user/HenrySmithMP; or www.henrysmith.info.

[1] The Defence Industries Council, https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/pages/48690432.asp