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now in a state of limbo. “We need more certainty and clarity about what is going to happen.”


Unite general secretary Len McCluskey travelled to Paris for a meeting with Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Vauxhall’s owners PSA about the future of Ellesmere Port, saying the talks were “helpful.”


Commenting on the fall in UK car production, he said the “world class” automotive sector was now at risk – with much of the blame lying directly at the government’s door.


“You cannot preside over the longest continuous fall in living standards for generations and expect the consumer economy to stay robust.


“When wages don’t grow people can’t buy – it’s as simple as that. Big ticket items like cars are often the first things consumers cut back on.”


Len McCluskey says there has been a confusing message to drivers about diesel engines even though the UK makes the cleanest engines in the world.


The news that the UK will go diesel-free within a few decades had rocked confidence in products, he warned.


Unite national officer Des Quinn said the message that diesel was dirty had “completely confused” the public and was having the opposite effect because sales of new diesel cars were falling, with people buying second hand models instead.


“New diesel engines are clean but people are now buying older cars because of the government’s announcement,” he said.


Des cast doubt on the aim of banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040 amid a switch to electric vehicles.


“There is no plan to roll out the huge increase in charging points that will be needed, or how the energy system will cope with so much more electricity being used. The policy is full of holes.”


Tony Burke says the fall in confidence has already led to a downturn, which is having an impact on firms’ plans to invest in their UK operations.


“The


Japanese


BY ALAN JONES ambassador was


uncharacteristically candid because statements from the Japanese government or companies are usually very carefully worded.


“But I am not surprised, because the government’s inability to put any clarity into the situation or have a strategic plan to help the car industry is astounding.”


The car industry’s supply chain is very complex, with parts crossing to and from the Channel, servicing the sector’s just-in- time production systems.


Any delays at ports, or motorways, caused by extra paperwork if tariffs come into force, could have serious consequences for factories across the UK.


The jewel in manufacturing’s crown could quickly lose its shine and find itself reversing into a post-Brexit cul-de-sac.


“ “


You cannot preside over the longest continuous fall in living standards for generations and expect the consumer economy to stay robust. When wages don’t grow people can’t buy – it’s as simple as that. Big ticket items like cars are often the first things consumers cut back on Len McCluskey


Unite general secretary ” 11 uniteWORKS Spring 2018


By now we would have expected to know what replacement vehicle would be built at Ellesmere Port after 2021, but we are now in a state of limbo John Cooper


Vauxhall Ellesmere Port


Unite convenor


”


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