Luton South MP calls for inquiry into Vauxhall van plant closure
Rachel Hopkins has written a letter to Liam Byrne, Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee
Last updated 29th Nov 2024
The MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire is calling for an inquiry into Stellantis' proposed closure of Luton's Vauxhall van plant.
The vehicle manufacturer's parent company announced the closure earlier this week, which was met with outrage from the local community.
It's estimated at least 1,100 jobs will be lost, with Rachel Hopkins MP detailing a potential further loss of 493 agency workers, as well as thousands in the wider business supply chain.
The Luton South MP has sent a letter to Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, calling for an inquiry to find out the reasons behind the closure, as well as how the Government can help to provide a solution.
In the letter, posted to Rachel Hopkin's social media pages, she asks the Chair to hold an inquiry, calling on Stellantis' Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Tavares, to give evidence and explain the reasoning.
She goes on to detail how the proposal could lead to a 'devastating impact' on the local economy, and says she has been informed up to £150 million could be lost from the local economy, with a further £160 million from 'wider supply chain impacts'.
A spokesperson for Stellantis said: "If the Company proposal is approved, Stellantis will offer relocation support to facilitate employees wishing to transfer to the Ellesmere Port site with an attractive package, where hundreds of permanent jobs will be created.
"Dedicated comprehensive job support, including opportunities for retraining, for all employees affected will also be implemented in the very active Luton area, just one mile from the international airport. At the same time, Stellantis will work with local government and local employers to identify new employment opportunities within the Luton area for the employees."