UK Automotive and Components Sector

Lord Birt Excerpts

Wednesday 9th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, with due respect to the noble Lord, I think that is a really simplistic point. The scale and speed of global transformation in this sector is being faced by every automotive manufacturer, not only in this country but elsewhere in the world. Manufacturers everywhere, and I mean everywhere globally, are responding to fierce competition now that new technologies and changing international trading conditions are in place. That is precisely why this Government have committed £2.5 billion to DRIVE35, providing long-term support for research, development, manufacturing and the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Our objective is to secure investment and high-value production here in Britain. I point out for the benefit of noble Lords that JLR has said it will seek voluntary departures wherever possible and still plans to invest £15 billion to £18 billion in this country. It has faith in this country, and I hope noble Lords across the aisle will also have faith in this country.

[Lord Birt (CB)]

My Lords, we would all wish Jaguar Land Rover to succeed, but does the Minister recognise that more than that of any other country in the G7, the UK economy is now overwhelmingly focused on high-value services, which give the economy nine times what the manufacturing sector currently does?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, the United Kingdom is a trading nation—we trade with every country across the world. We are doing free trade deals right across the globe, the recent one, obviously, being with India and with the Gulf countries. We are a trading nation, and we have to support our manufacturers and companies to trade seamlessly and easily throughout the world.