Adam Dance MP forces Defence Minister to answer urgent questions over Leonardo jobs in Yeovil

Adam Dance has today (12 Jan) forced the Government to answer urgent questions in Parliament over delays to the New Medium Helicopter contract, warning that continued inaction puts thousands of jobs at Leonardo in Yeovil at serious risk.

Adam was granted an Urgent Question in the House of Commons by the Speaker, compelling the Secretary of State for Defence to respond to growing concern about the stalled £1 billion contract. Leonardo has been the sole bidder for more than a year, yet the Government has still failed to make a decision.

Speaking in Parliament, Adam said Ministers have repeatedly promised an announcement would be made “soon”, a claim he said has now been made for over twelve months with no outcome.

Adam warned that without urgent action, Yeovil could lose more than 3,000 highly skilled manufacturing jobs, support for over 12,000 jobs across the regional supply chain, and the £320 million Leonardo contributes to the local economy each year. He also warned that delays threaten the UK’s ability to build helicopters end to end at a time of growing global insecurity.

Since being elected, Adam has consistently pressed the Government on Leonardo and the New Medium Helicopter programme. He has raised the issue in multiple parliamentary debates, questioned Ministers directly including at Prime Minister’s Questions, submitted written parliamentary questions, and written formally to the Secretary of State for Defence demanding urgent clarity. He has also met regularly with Leonardo’s leadership team in Yeovil and London, and with Unite, to understand the impact of continued uncertainty on workers and their families.

During the Urgent Question, Adam challenged the Government to confirm whether the contract would go ahead, whether funding remained available, and whether Ministers would commit to protecting the future of the Yeovil site. He also questioned why the contract continues to be delayed by its link to the Defence Investment Plan.

Responding, Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Procurement, said the decision would be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan and announced “shortly”. Adam said this response would alarm workers and families who have already been left waiting far too long.

Adam welcomed the Minister’s agreement to meet with him again and said he was encouraged to hear the Minister had spoken directly with Leonardo’s CEO earlier in the day. However, he stressed that discussions must now lead to action.

Adam Dance MP said:

“For more than a year, Labour Ministers have been telling me a decision on the New Medium Helicopter contract is coming soon. Today, once again, Yeovil was told to wait. That is simply not acceptable.

“This delay now puts thousands of skilled jobs at risk and threatens a proud engineering heritage that has been part of Yeovil for generations. People here deserve certainty, not more broken promises.

“I welcome the Minister’s willingness to meet again and his engagement with Leonardo’s leadership, but the Government must now act. I will keep pressing until this contract is awarded and jobs, skills and our national defence capability in Yeovil are properly protected.”