Last week, I stood up in the House of Commons and asked the Government to acknowledge the vital role that clean diesel has to play in any sensible strategy for reducing carbon emissions.
I am very pleased that Claire Perry, the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, acknowledged that the move away from the internal combustion engine will need to be “carefully managed” in order to protect jobs and investment in the British car industry.
This is especially important in light of the recent announcement by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) of a second reduction in agency staff at their Lode Lane plant.
Coming so soon after their previous cut, this news has understandably left many local workers and their families worried about the future. I am in constant contact with the JLR management, to make sure both that our concerns are put to them directly and that I can give you the most up-to-date information from the plant.
JLR say that this is about making Lode Lane ready to produce the next generation of their flagship vehicles, which will be hybrid or electrical. This sort of investment doesn’t happen without reliable revenues, which is why ministers must be very careful to ensure that our drive towards abandoning conventional engines doesn’t squeeze car manufacturers during the transition.
But the staff reductions illustrate how even positive long-term changes can create distress and disruption in the here-and-now – and how easily jobs in global industries can move overseas. It’s clear that hitting diesel with knee-jerk regulations and taxes would not only hurt millions of drivers, but would undermine crucial British export industries just as we’re trying to build a ‘global Britain’.
Earlier this month I presented a petition, signed by local residents, to the House of Commons urging Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner to think again about his plans to close Solihull Police Station.
I know first-hand that these proposals are a cause of deep concern to many of you. Following the loss of Shirley Police Station in 2015, Solihull is our last proper police base in the entire borough. Neither David Jamieson nor West Midlands Police have even provided clear plans for what will replace it.
That’s why I will continue to put the spotlight on this issue, and do everything I can to hold them account to the people of Solihull.
Originally published in the Solihull Observer, 21/06/18.