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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what economic assessment they have made of Honda's decision to close it's Swindon plant in 2021.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy met with the Honda Executives in London on 18 February, just ahead of Honda’s initial announcement to close its Swindon plant on 19 February. Since then, the Secretary of State has chaired a taskforce consisting of local leaders, MPs and trade unions, to provide support to Honda’s 3,500 strong workforce and other businesses who would be affected by the loss of Honda’s plant in Swindon.

Through the taskforce we are determined to work together to ensure that Swindon continues its record of attracting investment from advanced manufacturers, maintaining and creating highly skilled jobs that offer fulfilling careers for many years to come. That will include engaging closely with parties interested in future uses of the site in Swindon owned by Honda.

The taskforce, led by local partners will actively assess and focus on minimising potential impacts of Honda closing its manufacturing operations, embracing future economic opportunities before, during and after Honda close their site. Honda has stated that they will retain a significant operational presence in the UK, and through a network of over 800 dealerships and distributors. Their European HQ will remain in the UK and their ongoing R&D presence in the UK will continue, as will their Formula 1 operations.