GKN Automotive:
Birmingham Plant
(City of
Chester) (Lab)
What recent discussions he has had with representatives of GKN
Automotive on the viability of its factory in Birmingham being
used as part of the national infrastructure for electric
vehicles.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy ()
My noble Friend the Minister for Investment met representatives
of GKN Automotive on 21 May. GKN committed to considering all the
viable alternatives to closure, including repurposing the
Birmingham plant to produce parts for electrical vehicles, but it
concluded that that was not commercially viable. The Government
stand ready to assist the workers at this difficult time. I add
that Nissan’s recent announcement shows that we are actively
supporting UK electric vehicle production and supply chain
growth.
In April, in a Westminster Hall debate, the Minister said:
“The Government are committed to doing what we can to save
those…jobs”
of the 519 GKN workers, including through
“investments in capital equipment or in the skills needed to
secure future vehicle technology.”—[Official Report, 28 April
2021; Vol. 693, c. 128-129WH.]
Those commitments were warmly welcomed. Does she understand that
if the site on Chester Road closes with 519 job losses, it will
be a hammer blow to the families of those workers, but also to
the UK automotive sector at a time when we need to be powering
ahead with electric vehicle technology?
The hon. Member makes a really important point. He will know that
I have every sympathy with GKN; he will also know that we have
been having ongoing conversations recently. However, it is really
a difficult situation. The Department for Work and Pensions and
Jobcentre Plus work coaches will provide bespoke advice and
guidance. In addition, the West Midlands Combined Authority and
the Greater Birmingham and Solihull local enterprise partnership
have several programmes that can support GKN employees to reskill
for a new job or help them to start their own business.
