Adam Dance demands answers from Minister over £1bn helicopter delay threatening 3,000 Yeovil jobs

Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, has forced the Government to the table in Westminster Hall, demanding urgent clarity over the delayed New Medium Helicopter contract that supports more than 3,000 skilled jobs in Yeovil.

During a dedicated debate secured by Adam, he challenged Defence Minister Luke Pollard directly over the continued uncertainty surrounding the £1 billion programme.

The contract would see Leonardo UK build the AW149 helicopter at its Yeovil site, the UK’s last remaining end to end helicopter manufacturing facility.

Opening the debate, Adam warned that the UK now faces a clear capability gap following the retirement of the RAF Puma fleet.

“We have no medium lift helicopter ability for our armed forces,” Adam said. “There is a clear requirement, one bidder ready to go, and thousands of skilled British jobs on the line. It should be a win win win.”

Adam set out the stark consequences for Yeovil if the programme does not proceed. Leonardo has warned that without the contract it will need to seriously consider the future of its Yeovil site. That would put 3,000 direct jobs and a further 12,000 in the regional supply chain at risk, alongside a £320 million contribution to the local economy.

He told the Minister:

“The future of the new medium helicopter is the future of Yeovil. Not awarding the contract would be lose lose lose.”

In a key exchange, Luke Pollard confirmed that the Government would not allow the decision to “time out” before Leonardo’s best and final offer expires in March. However, he refused to confirm when a final decision would be made, saying it would come as part of the delayed Defence Investment Plan.

Adam pressed the Minister further, asking whether a decision would be taken outside of that plan if necessary to protect jobs and national security. The Minister repeated that the Government would not allow the decision to lapse but gave no firm date.

Adam also challenged the Government on whether funding shortfalls were behind the delay and questioned how high a priority the programme ranks compared with other defence projects.

Following the debate, Adam said:

“I welcome the Minister’s commitment that this decision will not be allowed to time out. But warm words are not enough. Families in Yeovil, apprentices at our college and small businesses across the South West need certainty.

“This is about national security and about protecting sovereign British manufacturing. The Government must now get on with it and deliver.”

Adam has previously raised the issue through urgent questions in the main Chamber and ongoing meetings with Ministers, making clear that Yeovil cannot afford further delay.