Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the implications are for his Department's policies of data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on 20 June 2017 on investment in the automotive sector during the first half of 2017.

The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry, including through the Automotive Council, to understand the issues and opportunities the sector faces. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s competitiveness. The UK has been very successful in attracting inward investment from automotive companies. Companies such as Nissan and Toyota have continued to re-invest, thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, strong partnership between government and industry, and long-term investment in new technology and innovation.