‘Hard’ Brexit risks jobs

A “hard” Brexit would be devastating for the car industry, a Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee’s report on the sector has concluded.


General union Unite said the report’s findings were in line with the union’s research which also concluded that a “no deal” Brexit would put hundreds of thousands of UK jobs at risk and threaten hundreds of millions of pounds of inward investment. The BEIS report, The impact of Brexit on the automotive sector, also reported that non-tariff barriers in the form of increased bureaucracy and border delays will dramatically affect the UK’s competitiveness. 


It explained that just a minute’s delay at the UK’s borders would have severe effects on the automotive supply chain. 


Tony Burke, Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said: “This report is a welcome acknowledgment of Unite’s long-held position that a ‘hard’ Brexit would be a mortal blow for the UK’s automotive industry.


“It is absolutely essential for the well-being of the car industry that the UK retains tariff-free access after it leaves the European Union. The only sensible way of achieving this is for the government to negotiate a customs union.”


The car maker, based in Brigend, Wales, and Dagenham, London, has yet to say what will replace the current run built for Jaguar Land Rover, prompting fears that over 1,000 jobs could be lost. Mike Payne, GMB political officer for Wales, called on the government to move quickly to reassure workers.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmbeis/379/379.pdf

www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-responds-to-parliamentary-select-committee-on-car-industry