Gainsborough parliamentarian, Edward Leigh MP, today welcomed assurances from the Armed Forces Minister, Andrew Robathan, that the Red Arrows will not be cut as part of an approaching savings package at the MoD. After public outcry and pressure from the Gainsborough MP, he confirmed that he has ‘no plans to disband the Red Arrows’.

It had been reported that the RAF Aerobatic Team, better known as the Red Arrows, had been at risk under the latest round of defence savings. Mr Leigh has repeatedly campaigned to protect the Red Arrows. He had a recent victory over proposals to relocate the team to RAF Waddington, successfully keeping them at their current home, RAF Scampton. He tabled an urgent written question in the House of Commons in order to put pressure on the government to save the much-loved local team.

“I hate to see any of our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen made redundant and to see our defence capability cut, but I draw the line when it comes to scrapping our national aerobatic team. They bring delight to millions at home, and win hearts and minds in friendly countries abroad. We should be doing everything we can to fly the flag for Britain, and part of that must be saving the Red Arrows.

“They are our local heroes – a great example of what the people of North Lincolnshire and the RAF can achieve.”