MP raises Nissan concerns with PM

Sharon Hodgson has raised concerns about Nissan’s decision to axe the planned production of its new X-Trail model from its Wearside plant with Prime Minster Theresa May.

The Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West has sent a letter outlining issues around the car giant’s decision to build the vehicle in Japan, rather than in Washington.

Mrs Hodgson says the decision, which will see the area miss out on 740 new jobs, causes concern for the near40,000 people who work at the plant or its supply chain.

During Monday’s statement by Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Mrs Hodgson asked what steps would be taken to reassure the UK car industry.

She said no such assurances were provided, leading her to write to Mrs May asking any new application by Nissan for Government funding will be considered fairly, to Rule out a ‘NoDeal’ Brexit, confirm when MPs will next get to vote on a re-negotiated deal, and reconsider the option of a negotiating a new customs union with the EU.

Mrs Hodgson said: “There were undoubtedly a number of factors that led to Nissan taking this decision including concerns around the transition away from diesel and falling sales of diesel vehicles.

“However, it is also clear that the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit had a role to play, and this was confirmed by Nissan in their initial statement.

“There are just 51 days to go until we are due to leave the EU, and businesses in this country are still no clearer on what trading arrangements we will have at that point.”

She added she was looking forward a response.