‘We don’t use the word Brexit’
on a ‘fantastic’ tour of the facility, which is one of the biggest employers in Sunderland, before discussing ‘the asks that Nissan have of Government in looking at the future trading relationship with the EU’.
Ms Leadsom said that there will be ‘no big scheme to change regulations’ when the UK leaves the EU in January 2021.
She said: “What we’ve made clear is we’re not seeking divergence for its own sake and, of course, we start in a relationship where we have complete alignment.
“It’s not as if we are planning some sort of big scheme to change regulations on the first of January 2021. Far from it.”
Mrs Leadsom added: “What we’re seeking with the EU is a good relationship that makes sense for us and for them and enables us to continue to trade openly with each other.”
Ms Leadsom’s visit comes just one week after Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a cabinet meeting in Sunderland on the day the UK left the EU.
Writing for the Sunderland Echo, Mr Johnson said he pledged £379million for the North East, £70million for schools in the region and 300 more police officers in the area.
The promises have been seen as a bid to win over yet more voters in the region after a number of traditional ‘red wall’ Labour seats in the North East elected Tory MPs in the last General Election in December.
Ms Leadsom said her department would look at ‘productivity’ and investment for the North East from around the world after the UK leaves the EU.