Airbus A350 to get aid from UK

BUSINESS secretary Peter Mandelson yesterday made an offer of financing to help Airbus’ new A350 jetliner. Airbus, part of defence company EADS, has said the A350 project is expected to cost around €11bn (£9.5bn).

Spain is understood to have pledged to stump up €300m for the project, Germany €1.1bn, and France around €1.4bn. Britain would only offer a €500m loan, which it viewed as less of a financial risk.

“We’ve made an offer. We are negotiating with EADS and Airbus,” Mandelson said.