A key part of the Government’s efforts to build up our military capabilities is investing, testing and building more drone technology here in Britain.
With this in mind, over the past few months I have been working with Jesscia Toale – the MP for Bournemouth West – to push for a new Defence Drone Centre to be setup here in South Dorset. We have hosted two round tables with all the key players from the defence, technology and education sectors, and there is broad support for developing drone technology on our doorstep.
The proposed site – Dorset Innovation Park at Winfrith – is already a magnet for emerging drone technology and defence firms. And Dorset Innovation Park is the only site in the whole country where drone technology can easily be tested across land, sea and air.
I am delighted to confirm that this hard work has paid off, and Dorset Innovation Park will now receive its fair share of £20 million in new funding for researching and developing drone technology.
This funding for Dorset Innovation Park will not only strengthen national security but also help create well-paid jobs and apprenticeships for local people, attract new investment and help small and large defence firms grow across Dorset.
Our part of the world is also home to several educational institutions that can feed in to a new Defence Drone Centre, including Coastland College and nearby Bournemouth University.
I’m pleased that this Labour Government is boosting defence spending after years of cutbacks, and that our part of the world will now feel the benefits. With new funding in place, we can develop a Defence Drone Centre at pace.
This is great news for South Dorset!
Lloyd Hatton
Labour MP for South Dorset
