With the UK’s autumn political conference season underway, we were pleased to join the Liberal Democrats in Brighton this week amid an expectedly buoyant atmosphere following the party’s big increase in MPs in the General Election. SMMT hosted a constructive roundtable with automotive businesses, MPs and peers to discuss industry’s priorities for the new parliamentary term, from business rates and Apprenticeship Levy reform to boosting chargepoint rollout and incentivising the new EV market.
It was positive to have general support on key automotive issues and for a UK industrial strategy, to which the Labour government has already committed. Cross-party support for automotive will be important during this parliament as the issues are pressing and we cannot afford any delay in delivering effective policies. With industry awaiting further details on the shape of government’s industrial strategy and the role of automotive, we look forward to further positive discussions next week as the Labour Party holds its conference in Liverpool.
As with the Automated Vehicles Bill earlier this year, automotive is ready to work quickly with government and all parties to ensure legislation and policy is delivered and helps the country realise the full potential of zero emission, connected and automated vehicles. The focus must be on how to generate returns on the massive sums invested by industry as well as government in this area so everyone benefits. An example of that industry-government collaboration was seen this week with £88 million in joint funding announced by the Advanced Propulsion Centre for a range of projects driving green automotive innovation across the UK.
We also stand ready to help government maximise global trade through new partnerships, and this week’s announcement of an Enhanced Trade Partnership signed with Thailand is the latest in a series of agreements seeking to enhance the UK’s trade relationships. Malaysia also became the latest country to ratify Britain’s accession to CPTPP, and we must build on these new – as well as existing – agreements to enhance the prospects for UK Automotive.
We already have world-leading products to sell abroad, with more to come thanks to critical UK investments and trade negotiations in recent years. As such, we’re well positioned for further growth and, with the right political support from all parties, our businesses can roll out new skills faster and provide thousands more jobs covering every UK region – bringing with it transformative benefits and economic growth to which any government, and any party, would aspire.
