Union and MP worried by JLR shutdown
A union says Jaguar Land Rover's decision to shut down production for an extra week in April indicates uncertainty surrounding the automotive industry as Brexit approaches.
Unite spokesman Alex Flynn called on ministers to provide clarity on the issue of Brexit.
He said: “The Government needs to stop gambling with UK jobs and the future of one of the jewels in Britain’s manufacturing crown by ruling out a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.
“We need an end to Brexit uncertainty and tariff free frictionless access to Europe in order to secure the future of the UK’s car industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on it.”
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Wolverhampton North East Labour MP Emma Reynolds said: "“The additional pause in production in Wolverhampton announced by Jaguar Land Rover is very worrying.
“After failing to come up with a plan B, the Government is now running down the clock. This is irresponsible and could have been avoided if the vote on Theresa May’s deal had not been delayed in December.
“Calling on the Government to urgently rule out no-deal and to let Parliament take back control of the process and find a solution across party lines. The Customs Union is surely central to that."
The giant engine manufacturing centre at the i54 to the north of Wolverhampton and car production plants at Castle Bromwich, Solihull and Halewood will stand down manufacturing from April 8 to 12 due to potential disruption if Brexit goes ahead on March 29.
The closure was revealed when the luxury car manufacturer emailed employees with details of holiday dates for the year.
