Sureena Brackenridge MP took to the Common’s floor to back Jaguar Land Rover and other Wolverhampton-based businesses in the face of US tariffs.
The MP asked: “I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, given the uncertainty and turmoil caused by US tariffs on British-made vehicles. Will she outline how she is responding to major employers such as Jaguar Land Rover, to ensure they can remain competitive and safeguard jobs in our local communities, as shared by Members from across the House?”
Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport responded: “JLR will stand to benefit from the flexibilities we have announced today: the increased borrowing flexibility; the extension and the expansion of the carbon dioxide transfer cap; and the changes we talked about on the way we measure CO2 emissions from plug-in hybrids”
“I think all those things we have announced today will be welcomed by JLR and, hopefully, by her constituents employed at the factory.”
Mrs Brackenridge’s question comes as global stock markets plunge in relation to President Trump’s tariffs, which include a flat 25 per cent levy on all cars exported to America.
The Government unveiled a raft of new economic proposals designed to protect the British auto industry, including a £2.3bn boost to support the manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles to help people switch to electric cars, and allowing petrol and diesel vans with an internal combustion engine (ICE) will be allowed to be sold for a further 5 years until 2035
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer backed businesses like JLR, saying: "Global trade is being transformed so we must go further and faster in reshaping our economy and our country through our Plan for Change.
"I am determined to back British brilliance. Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a Government that steps up, not stands aside.
"That means action, not words. So today I am announcing bold changes to the way we support our car industry.
"This will help ensure home-grown firms can export British cars built by British workers around the world and the industry can look forward with confidence, as well as back with pride."