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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase productivity in the UK automotive sector.

The UK already has one of the most productive automotive sectors in the world. In 2018 productivity levels in the sector were at £100,600/employee, a real term increase of 4.6% over 2017, and 42% higher than overall UK manufacturing productivity. The Government has a long-standing programme of support to maintain the productivity and competitiveness of the UK automotive sector. Through our Industrial Strategy and landmark Automotive Sector Deal, we are placing the UK at the forefront of new automotive technology development.

The Sector Deal includes £32 million of joint funding for an industry-led supply chain competitiveness programme to help improve productivity in the UK supply chain and assure international competitiveness.

We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for the automotive sector. BEIS Ministers and officials regularly engage with the automotive industry, including bilaterals with manufacturers, interactions via trade associations, and through the Department’s participation in the Automotive Council.