Peter Matthews, EY UK&I Advanced Manufacturing & Mobility Leader, comments on the additional Research & Development support announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, and its impact on aviation:
“The additional funding for R&D to support decarbonisation is very positive. It is critical that the UK develops the intellectual property that can help in this space. The additional funding represents a major step forward, both for the R&D to help commercialise low and zero emissions technologies, and also to further the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
“With the focus on aviation and the challenges for that sector to decarbonise – given the alternatives to the current means of propulsion are in their early stages – it is vital that sustainable aviation fuel development is accelerated as this is the most effective way for the sector to make progress in the short term.”