Moving into space

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a group to address the challenges and opportunities facing the space industry.

The Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) has been set up to develop a 20-year strategy to improve UK competitiveness in space. The group will be chaired by Andy Green, Logica chief executive.

Currently, the space sector is worth approximately £7bn per year to the UK economy and supports 70,000 jobs. The IGT expects to increase this figure by outlining plans that will benefit corresponding industries such as telecoms, climate change and satellite navigation markets.

The group will also attempt to create a ‘space aware’ culture in the UK with a more structured career path for students who wish to enter the industry. The government hopes that this will improve manufacturing and skills in the country - a strategy outlined in its New Industry New Jobs report.

Green said: ‘Space is one of the few sectors in the UK economy that is enjoying almost double-digit growth and has the potential to do so for decades to come. We will set out ways to help the sector on its upwards trajectory, by ensuring that Britain has the necessary skills and policy framework, and a climate that fosters innovation.’