In the aftermath of the Volkswagen scandal, you might never guess that modern diesel engines burn just as cleanly – if not more so – than their petrol counterparts.
That’s why last week I directly asked Claire Perry, the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, to acknowledge how important it is that we properly support clean diesel during the transition to electric and hybrid cars.
I’m pleased that the Government acknowledged that the move away from the internal combustion engine will need to be “carefully managed” in order to protect jobs and investment in this vital industry.
As many of you will know, Jaguar Land Rover recently announced a second reduction in agency workers at their Lode Lane plant. The company says this is in order to allow the upgrades necessary to manufacture their 21st-Century flagship vehicles, which will be hybrid or electrical, here in Solihull.
The reductions show how sensitive the car industry is to changes in market conditions. Overly-burdensome regulations would clearly not only squeeze millions of ordinary drivers, but it would hurt manufacturers and cost jobs.
As we move towards the target of eradicating the internal combustion engine, we must not damage the balance sheets of car makers as they will need this money to invest in new, greener technology. That’s why I will continue to speak up in Parliament for fair and sensible regulation of diesel cars, and do everything I can to ensure that Solihull remains at the forefront of the Government’s efforts to build an exporting, global Britain.
In other news, this month I have taken my campaign against the closure of Solihull Police Station to Parliament. I was to have the opportunity to present a petition against the proposals, signed by hundreds of local residents, directly to the House of Commons.
Neither David Jamieson, Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner, nor the West Midlands Police have given us any clear idea of what policing in Solihull will look like, nor any guarantee that the savings made from closing the station will be re-invested in our community.
It’s absurd that our growing town will soon be without a proper police base, and I am going to make sure that our concerns are heard loud and clear.
Originally published in the Solihull News, 22/06/18.