The Space Industry Act 2018 was a major step towards establishing the safe and supportive regulatory framework needed to enable launches to take place from the early 2020s. Work across the Government is now under way to develop the secondary legislation required before the Civil Aviation Authority can formally assess licence applications for horizontal spaceports.

As part of Farnborough International Airshow on 15th August 2018, the UK Space Agency announced £2m of funding in support of horizontal spaceflight and spaceports, to further accelerate this early-stage market. The UK Space Agency is working closely with colleagues from several government departments, including the Scotland Office, to finalise the details of this scheme.

We must, of course, ensure that any use of public funds provides value for money and will benefit the UK. We plan to make further announcements, subject to business case, later in 2018.

Royal Assent of the Space Industry Bill on 15 March 2018 was a major milestone in establishing the environment for safe, responsible and commercial spaceflight operations from UK spaceports. We are now working swiftly to put in place the detailed regulations, including licence requirements for spaceports and spaceflight operators. We opened a call for evidence on 27 March that will assist in formulating policy related to liability, insurance and charging; and are continuing to engage with prospective licensees. We are planning to publish and consult on the detailed regulations in 2019. Once the detailed licensing requirements are in place, it will enable companies to apply to become a licenced spaceport or spaceflight operator.

The UK has a strong small satellite manufacturing sector, and forecasts suggest that the global satellite launch and spaceflight industry could be worth as much as £25 billion pounds over the next 20 years. By establishing a spaceport to enable these activities, growth and skilled jobs will be created in regions of the UK that need them most.

The UK Space Agency is leading work across Government to enable the UK to play a leading part in the growing commercial space market. As part of this programme, the Space Agency is working with a number of different sites across the UK that have expressed interest in becoming a spaceport, and have recently invited proposals from partnerships of potential spaceports and space vehicle operators.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has been looking into starting spaceport operations for some years now, working closely with the Space Agency to develop their plans. Any proposal for a UK spaceport will be assessed on both value for money and benefit – both local and national. I cannot discuss the details or identities of any bids as this is an on-going commercial process, but I will update the hon Member as soon as possible.