Unite calls for Brexit certainty after Vauxhall announces redundancies

Union Unite has asked the government to provide economic and trading certainty during Brexit negotiations after Vauxhall announced 400 job cuts.

The workers will leave the car company’s Ellesmere Port factory in the North West by the end of the year in the voluntary redundancy programme. The company, owned by French Peugeot and Citröen makers PSA Group, blamed “challenging European market conditions and a declining passenger car market”.

The news was “extremely difficult to take” after other job losses announced last week at BAE Systems, said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey. He described the cuts as “a major blow to the automotive industry and its supply chain. It is also another huge loss for the North West economy. Quite clearly, economic concerns are having a serious impact on consumer confidence. When people feel insecure about the future they do not invest in expenditure like a new car.”

The union’s priority is now supporting members and “protecting” the plant, he added. It is calling for meetings with the highest levels of PSA management to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies and that investment continues at the plant.

“But we also appeal to the government for its assistance,” McCluskey added. “This industry urgently needs economic and trading certainty so that it can build for a strong future in the UK. We ask that ministers give PSA and other manufacturers a clear signal that government will do all it needs to do to support this crucial sector through the Brexit process.”

In a statement, Vauxhall said it will consult with employee representatives and look for opportunities to minimise the redundancies’ impact. “Once it has enough visibility on the future trading relationship with the EU, and the plant competitiveness has been addressed, the company will be in a position to consider future investments,” the statement added.