The challenges for the UK’s automotive sector as Britain leaves the EU are on the agenda for Rugby MP Mark Pawsey following a recent visit to Honda’s factory in Swindon with the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee.
The trip will feed into the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee’s inquiry into the implications of Brexit for the automotive sector. During the visit, Mark and the Chair of the Select Committee, Rachel Reeves MP, spoke to senior representatives of Honda about the potential impact of Brexit on manufacturing in the UK.
Honda’s factory at Swindon currently employs approximately 4,000 people and produces over 600 cars per day. Honda Swindon is also home to the UK’s first hydrogen fuelling centre and the company is leading the way in promoting hydrogen fuel as an alternative to petrol engines.
Speaking after the visit, Mark commented:
“The issues raised by Honda as part of the Select Committee’s inquiry are particularly interesting to me as one of the great success stories in the UK during recent years has been the resurgence of the automotive industry. The Midlands has seen this success with the construction of the London Electric Vehicle Company’s new factory at Ansty, as well as investment by Jaguar Land Rover nearby in Coventry to develop the next generation of their electric vehicles. Our future relationship with the EU must ensure that these success stories continue.”
Mark continued:
“What was clear from our meeting with Honda, and from evidence which the Select Committee has taken from other businesses on the subject of Brexit, is that for our manufacturing industry to remain successful we need the best possible future trading deal with the European Union. 35% of the cars we saw being built by Honda at Swindon are destined for the European Market, and we import vehicle components and finished vehicles from EU car manufacturers.”
Mark concluded:
“It is vital that that the final negotiated deal between Britain and the EU is beneficial for both British manufacturers and our neighbours in the European Union. This means access to one another’s markets and a close regulatory environment. As a member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee and Rugby’s Member of Parliament, I will continue to press for the best possible future trade deal once we have left the EU in 2019.”