Commenting on the announcement that a consortia of British manufacturers including Airbus and Siemens will this week begin producing medical ventilators for the NHS to treat coronavirus patients, Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

“Today’s announcement highlights the talent and determination in Britain’s world-leading manufacturing sector, and shows the need to support the sector all year round to ensure national resilience in tough times.

“I thank those advanced manufacturing businesses and skilled workers rising to the challenge and redirecting their efforts to saving lives and protecting the NHS.

“These companies, uniting from across the automotive, aerospace and medical industries to ramp up ventilator production, really are the best of British business.”