The jewel in Britain’s manufacturing crown is at risk because of
Brexit uncertainty and falling wages Britain’s largest union, Unite
warned today (Thursday 21 December), as production figures showed
the number of cars made in British factories destined for the UK
market had plunged 28 per cent to 24,276 in the last month. Today’s
figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
show falling domestic demand for a fourth month in row, while cars
destined for the export...Request free
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The jewel in Britain’s manufacturing crown is at risk because of
Brexit uncertainty and falling wages Britain’s largest union, Unite
warned today (Thursday 21 December), as production figures showed
the number of cars made in British factories destined for the UK
market had plunged 28 per cent to 24,276 in the last month.
Today’s figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders (SMMT) show falling domestic demand for a fourth month in
row, while cars destined for the export market rose by 1.3 per
cent.
Commenting Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke
said: “This is awful news in the run-up to
Christmas for the British car industry and the UK economy. The
continued falling demand in the UK market because of Brexit
uncertainty and falling wages is yet more evidence of the
government’s economic incompetence.
“When other economies around the world are
motoring ahead, the UK is stuck in the slow lane hobbled by the
biggest squeeze in wages since the Napoleonic era. Meanwhile
uncertainty around Brexit is leaving motor manufacturers stalling
on the investment needed to maintain Britain’s world leading status
in car making.
“The motor industry is the jewel in the UK’s
manufacturing crown, sustaining communities with decent well paid
jobs. Government ministers need to rid themselves of their economic
complacency and tackle falling incomes which are putting people’s
wallets and the UK economy into reverse.”
