Industry figures have responded to MP for Makerfield and Leader of the Labour Party Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister of the UK.
Burnham will take over from Sir Kier Starmer today (20 July) with plans for a new cabinet to be announced imminently.
Speaking about the news, The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) welcomed the vision set out by Burnham to put place first and put power into the hands of the people who know their areas best.
In his first speech as Labour leader on 17 July, Burnham set out a ten-year mission to deliver good growth in every postcode, built on reform of utilities, reindustrialisation and regeneration, pledging to “take power back from Westminster and Whitehall” and give it to local places.
Katie Stewart, ADEPT President, said:
“The new Prime Minister’s ambition for good growth in every British postcode is one that ADEPT shares and has long championed.
“Growth works best from the bottom up: decisions taken closer to communities consistently deliver better outcomes. Our members – the place directors leading environment, economy, planning and transport services across the country – know first-hand that sustainable growth, good housing and resilient infrastructure depend on local knowledge, local leadership and collaboration.
“We particularly welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition that the imbalance of resources between national and local government is holding back growth and his commitment to give local areas greater control over the essentials – from buses and housing to high streets – that shape people’s everyday lives.
“We welcome the commitment to see the positive in all places. His recognition that rural and coastal communities have been overlooked for too long is significant: devolution must not only be offered to cities and indeed, must reach beyond. Empowering rural economies and coastal towns is essential if every community is to share in growth and in Britain’s ambition to be a leading innovation nation.
“Any extension of devolution must be backed by sustained, flexible funding and strong partnership across all sectors – national and local government, business academia and communities working together. Place-based collaboration as the new operating principle for UK plc is a statement we fully endorse. As the government sets out its plans in the coming weeks, we are ready to play our part in turning this vision into delivery on the ground.”
Adding to ADEPT’s comments, vehicle manufacturer Polestar UK “must maintain the 2030 deadline” for ending new petrol and diesel cars – and delay electric vehicle (EV) tax until the majority of cars on the road are EVs.
Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK said:
“As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham championed decisive action to improve air quality, driving the ambition for a zero-emission transport network to deliver cleaner air, quieter streets and healthier communities for Mancunians. As Prime Minister, he now can bring that same leadership to the national stage.
“Nationally, the country is reaching a tipping point for EV adoption. With second-hand EV sales growing, the new government must accelerate this by stimulating the pre-owned market through grants and a scrappage scheme for the most polluting vehicles. This is where most people buy their cars and it will be the engine of future growth.
“The government must also maintain the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, delay electric vehicle tax until EVs represent the majority of cars on our roads and reduce VAT on public charging. Together, these measures will lower motoring costs, strengthen energy security, and create thousands of skilled jobs. Recent international volatility has underlined the need to seize every opportunity to take greater control of our economy and reduce our dependence on global energy markets. It is an opportunity we must seize with both hands.”
As Andy Burnham is confirmed as the new Prime Minister, the Institute of the Motor Industry is hopeful that he will recognise the fundamental role of the automotive sector in the UK economy.
Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI, said:
“We congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and we genuinely welcome his stated commitment to re-industrialisation and to technical and vocational skills. However, before the general election, Labour promised to champion the motor industry – a sector fundamental to the UK’s economy and its social infrastructure. Two years on, that promise has not been delivered, and the skills gap in our sector has become a road safety issue.
“Vehicles are changing faster than at any point in history – electrification, connected systems, automated driving technology. The people who maintain, repair and recover them must be demonstrably competent, yet apprenticeship starts are falling and qualification levels are nowhere near where demand requires.
“The new Prime Minister has an immediate opportunity to put this right: mandate IMI TechSafe, protect the rigour of automotive apprenticeships, and give our 800,000-strong workforce the recognition and investment it deserves. The IMI is ready to work with him from day one.”
Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK, commented:
“Congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister. Logistics UK looks forward to working closely with him and his government to deliver the economic and industrial growth the whole country needs, and ensure the logistics sector remains at the heart of a competitive and resilient UK economy.”
“’Manchesterism’ has been a great example of how an economy and city can thrive with a clear plan that puts transport at its heart. The UK’s logistics industry employs people in every constituency across the country. Our sector wants to work with the new Government to take the best of ‘Manchesterism’ and turbocharge its delivery, linking up every town and city in the UK, as well as helping enable over a trillion pounds of international trade.”
“Nothing moves without logistics and our sector will be vital to the UK’s reindustrialisation and growth plans. It underpins the economy, supporting businesses, homes and public services, employing 8% of the UK workforce and contributing £175 billion in GVA each year.”
“Our sector’s hubs and workforce are embedded in communities across the country, providing skilled jobs, rewarding careers and enabling businesses to trade, domestically and internationally. As the government continues its drive for industrial growth and devolution, logistics has a key role to play in ensuring investment translates into improved standards of living and opportunities in every region and nation of the UK.”
Commenting on suggestions made by Andy Burnham in his first speech as Prime Minister that he will target cost-of-living measures, Alasdair Johnstone from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: “While we yet to discover exact mechanics of the cost-of-living policies to be unveiled tomorrow, as we saw clearly at the recent elections, the relentless pressure of high energy, food, and fuel costs remains the defining concern for voters across the country. The public is therefore looking for intervention from the new Prime Minister.
“But if these measures are to be more than a short-term sticking plaster, with gas and oil prices up again [2], the focus is going to have to be on the UK’s high reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets for heating and electricity where geopolitical events determine what we all pay.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“On behalf of the UK automotive industry, I congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and wish him every success as he forms his new government. The Labour Party has already demonstrated its commitment to automotive manufacturing through the Industrial Strategy and, building on those foundations, the sector can be a powerful engine for growth, delivering investment, innovation and high value jobs in every part of the UK. There remain many challenges for the industry, both at home and abroad, but if we strengthen our competitiveness and provide greater support for the transition to net zero, we can drive reindustrialisation and economic renewal in every region and nation of Britain. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his team to realise that opportunity.”
Image from Shutterstock
