Sir Ashley Fox MP has called on the Government to cut electricity costs for British businesses following the announcement of 4,000 job losses at Jaguar Land Rover.
The Bridgwater MP raised the issue in the House of Commons, warning that high energy costs are putting British manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.
Speaking in Parliament, Ashley Fox said:
“Jaguar Land Rover is Britain’s largest car manufacturer, so it is deeply concerning for workers and the whole supply chain, including Agratas in my constituency, to learn of 4,000 job losses there.
JLR is at a competitive disadvantage, given the excessive energy costs in Britain. Does the Minister agree that the key to protecting Britain’s manufacturing is to provide lower electricity costs to all businesses in Britain?”
Business Minister Blair McDougall said he “absolutely” agreed, saying the Government was taking action through its British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme and other measures to reduce energy costs. He acknowledged that high electricity costs were an important issue not only for automotive and advanced manufacturing, but for growth across the wider economy.
Agratas, which is building its new gigafactory at the Gravity site near Bridgwater, is part of the Tata Group, which also owns Jaguar Land Rover. JLR is expected to be an anchor customer for batteries produced at the Somerset facility when production begins.
Following the exchange Ashley Fox said:
“The loss of 4,000 jobs at Britain’s largest car manufacturer is deeply concerning for the workers and families affected.
The Government needs to act and bring down electricity costs so British manufacturers can compete, invest and create jobs.
The Conservatives have set our Cheap Power Plan to do exactly that, including axing the carbon tax and cutting costly subsidies that are loaded onto electricity bills. We need an energy policy that puts cheap, reliable power and British competitiveness first.”
