On an initial impression of this report, it is apparent the workforce really is second to none. Much of what we do is class-leading – even world class.

This is despite the very limited investment in machinery and plant.

We have to take many positives from the report and encourage interest from any quarter.

Finding and securing that interest is now very pressing and we must maximise political will through our MPs and councillors, as well as the incentives and opportunities the Humber LEP and enterprise zone can offer.

Quite clearly, what BAE regard as "surplus capacity" most businesses would take as their prize asset.

We – all of us in the Humber region – absolutely cannot allow the workforce to become just another unemployment statistic.

If we do lose all of these people, we will not look back at the days of manufacturing at Brough with the halo of nostalgia, but with the greatest regrets as to how we allowed it to be lost.