Ministers meet with SMMT to discuss Brexit

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union as well as DFT and BEIS ministers joined a roundtable with SMMT and automotive leaders regarding Brexit and the automotive industry. The event took place on 12 December at SMMT’s headquarters in London and was also attended by John Hayes, Minster of State, Department for Transport and Nick Hurd, Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, was present and said “meeting topics were wide ranging”. Top of the list were the conditions necessary for the automotive sector to thrive and the priorities for the UK automotive sector when the country leaves the EU.

“With over 80 per cent of UK automotive production going to more than 160 countries globally it is critical we secure unfettered single market access and unhindered trade opportunities worldwide. The industry is agile but long term investment and growth will depend heavily upon our ability to race competitively and to attract global talent within an economically stable environment” SMMT said in a statement.

The government sent several ministers to the event including: David Davis, Secretary of State, Department for Exiting the European Union; John Hayes, Minister of State, Department for Transport; and Nick Hurd, Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. In addition William Atkinson, Engagement and Strategy Team, Department for Exiting the European Union; Hannah Riches, Market Access Team, Automotive Lead, Department for Exiting the European Union; and Ian Broadhurst, Automotive Unit, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy were also in attendance.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Today’s discussions were a good opportunity to meet with government to reinforce the success and importance of UK Automotive, and to highlight the specific priorities for our sector when leaving the European Union. Being part of the single market has helped make the UK automotive sector amongst the most competitive in the world and a critical part of the UK economy. It is essential that we maintain those benefits and we will work with government and our partners in Europe to ensure the global success of our sector continues in the future.”

With some 169,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 814,000 across the wider automotive industry, UK automotive accounts for 12 per cent of total UK export of goods and invests £2.5 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by more than 2,000 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.