Mandelson addresses SMMT International Automotive Summit
Business secretary Lord Mandelson, last week, addressed industry executives at the SMMT International Automotive Summit. Reiterating government’s support for the
industry and its importance in moving forward in economic recovery, Lord Mandelson said: “This industry is the cornerstone of Britain’s manufacturing economy”. He outlined government’s response to the report by the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT), and spoke of the need for collaboration between government and industry to make the UK the leading location of automotive manufacturing. The summit brought together senior executives from across the automotive sector. Three discussion sessions focused on the economic situation facing the industry, technological challenges and consumer perceptions. Shadow business minister Mark Prisk MP also spoke at the summit, saying that the Conservative Party shares the ambition that industry and government should be working closer together as stated in the NAIGT report.
(Source: SMMT, BIS)
Members of Automotive Council announced
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced the membership of the newly formed Automotive Council. Lord Mandelson, who will co-chair the Council together with Richard Parry-Jones, highlighted the names in his speech to the SMMT International Automotive Summit.
The Automotive Council was a key recommendation of the NAIGT, with the aim of a high-level structure in which government and industry can work collaboratively on the key
future issues for the sector. Members of the Council cut across wide sectors of the automotive industry, together with representatives from SMMT, Unite the Union and other organisations. The first meeting of the Automotive Council is expected to be held in December.
A Supply Chain Council and a Technology Council will also be set up as part of the Automotive Council.
(Source: BIS)
