Unite, Britain’s largest union, echoed the conclusions of the
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee’s
report The impact of Brexit on the automotive sector, which
found that a ‘hard’ Brexit would be devastating for the industry.
The committee’s findings which are in line with Unite’s
research 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...Request free trial
Unite, Britain’s largest union, echoed the conclusions of the
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee’s
report The impact of Brexit on the automotive sector,
which found that a ‘hard’ Brexit would be devastating for the
industry.
The committee’s findings which are in line with Unite’s
research 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 report further found that non-tariff barriers in the form
of increased bureaucracy and border delays will dramatically affect
the UK’s competitiveness.
Just a minute’s delay at UK’s borders would have severe
effects on the automotive supply chain. Every day there are 1,100
lorries with automotive parts that arrive from the European Union.
Many automotive companies operate a just-in-time operation with
assembly sites storing just 20 minutes of materials.
Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Tony Burke
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 industry would be hugely affected by a ‘hard’ Brexit but
there should not be a specific deal just for this sector. It is
essential that all the UK’s manufacturing base is protected by
future barrier free access.
“It is also essential to protect the UK’s car industry that
regulatory alignment remains as close to that as the EU as
possible.”
“The government must act on this report’s findings, rather than
trying to ignore reality. If it cannot negotiate a deal, which
defends hundreds of thousands of highly skilled manufacturing jobs,
then it must step aside for a Labour government which will.”
