Electric Vehicles: Transition

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts

Wednesday 11th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

It is important to recognise that any decisions about VAT on all these measures will be a matter for the Treasury, which will, obviously, be looking at all the impacts of any policy change as we go forward.

[Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Con)]

My Lords, I refer to my interests as the director of the Global Warming Policy Foundation. Figures show that UK car production has reduced to its lowest level since the 1950s, yet a Chinese EV manufacturer has now eclipsed every other global manufacturer of motor vehicles. Does the Minister regard that as a success?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The most important thing we have to do is work with the manufacturers in this country. The decision under the previous Government to change the target sent a wave of uncertainty through manufacturers. It is absolutely critical that we keep that certainty and have clarity. We are fully committed to the manufacturing industry and base in this country. Of course, we are having conversations with China, as per the Prime Minister’s recent visit, and there are so many positives to come from these conversations. We look forward to the industry moving forward to full strength.