When I first stood for election in 2015 I laid out my
priorities which included working to bring inward investment and job creation
to Mid-Cornwall. One of the top things I said I would focus on was championing
the case for Newquay airport to be the UK’s first horizontal launch Spaceport.
Last week this goal took a huge step forward with the announcement of £7.85m
funding from the Government for Spaceport Cornwall.
Last week’s announcement is another clear commitment from
the Government that they are prepared to invest in Cornwall, in this case backing
the superb bid put together by the Spaceport Cornwall team.
When I was first elected it is fair to say that a lot of
people saw a bid for Cornwall to get this spaceport as a pipe dream – it is
only through the hard work of a great team of people who put together a strong
bid, which captured the imagination of people in both the public and private
sectors, and win support from the UK Space Agency.
Personally, I have worked hard, both in Parliament and in
Cornwall, towards securing this funding, raising it in the House of Commons
several times, holding dozens of meetings with government ministers and
officials, potential operators and others in the space sector, including
recently inviting the Space Minister to the airport so they could see the
vision for themselves.
There has been a great team involved including Cornwall
Council, the LEP and wider business community, the management team at Cornwall
Airport Newquay and Virgin Orbit who have all played their part in making this
dream a reality. This really has been a great example of Cornwall pulling
together and speaking as one.
Once in operation, the spaceport will be used firstly as a
launching point for satellites, from under the wing of a converted Virgin
Atlantic jumbo jet. In the future though, other uses, including space tourism
are planned. These great developments will bring further investment and create
well paid jobs.
Apart from the investment and economic growth, another of my
priorities is to create jobs and career opportunities for our young people. The
Cornwall Spaceport will not only provide more jobs, but the impact having a
world leading space facility on our doorstep will have on our young people will
be immeasurable. It will lift the aspirations of generations of Cornish
children and inspire them to consider pursuing qualifications and careers in
science, technology, electronics and maths.
There is now further work to do before we see the first
satellites launched from Cornish soil, but securing this funding is a major
step towards this happening.
My team and I are here to serve the whole
constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone
needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am –
4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my
assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either
01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular,
appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be
found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
