Jessica O'ConnorTUC General Secretary Paul Nowak has called on the Government to accelerate support for the UK’s automotive sector, warning that high energy costs are putting thousands of manufacturing jobs at risk.
Speaking during a visit to Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull factory, Nowak said the Government must “put its foot on the accelerator” to bring down industrial energy bills and safeguard the future of Britain’s car makers.
The automotive sector supports more than 200,000 direct jobs and 800,000 roles in the wider supply chain, with flagship brands like Range Rover and Jaguar F-Pace made in the West Midlands.
But UK manufacturers face some of the highest electricity prices in Europe, leaving them struggling to compete internationally.
Nowak said: “Car making is one of the jewels in the crown of British industry, and British classics like Range Rover and Jaguar are iconic around the world.
“But sky-high energy costs mean we risk losing out to competition from abroad.
“The Government has set out welcome support in the Industrial Strategy, but must go further and faster to bring down energy bills for British businesses. It’s time for the Government to put its foot on the accelerator, and act now to protect jobs and manufacturing in the UK.”
The TUC has called for faster rollout of energy bill discounts for energy-intensive industries, interim support before 2027, and long-term reform to break the link between electricity prices and volatile global gas markets.
The union body said failure to act quickly could see UK manufacturing jobs move overseas, undermining the government’s growth and net zero ambitions.
