Welcome investment

The engine of the UK’s manufacturing base – the automotive industry – got a boost yesterday (September 1) as the government confirmed it would inject £35m into new industrial hub in Coventry where Jaguar Land Rover plans to expand its operations in 2017/18.

The funding will be supported by a further ÂŁ10m from local sources secured by Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council.

The move will create up to 3,000 new high-skill manufacturing jobs in the West Midlands at the 60-acre Whitley South site, half of which will be occupied by JLR with the remaining 30 acres reserved for the auto company’s suppliers.

The project will open up opportunities not only for the auto giant JLR and its workers but also for workers and businesses all along the supply chain. New office buildings, research development facilities and light industrial premises are being planned, with hotel accommodation, car showrooms, retail operations and catering establishments also in the works.

Hiring is planned to commence in 2017/2018. JLR has also said it will create an additional 250 support staff roles and will take on up to 125 apprentices.

Although not confirmed by the auto giant, development of the new site is seen to be an important step towards ultimately returning car manufacturing to Coventry.

The government’s £35m fund will be used to support the industrial hub project, such as by improving transport links and building a bridge connecting Whitley South with JLR’s present engineering centre and headquarters nearby.

“Our world-class auto sector is leading the way and this new development will create thousands more skilled jobs,” said business and energy secretary Greg Clark said.

Business minister Margot James noted that the “resurgence of advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry in the West Midlands is a real success story.”

“It’s vital we maintain this momentum and keep creating high-skilled jobs and don’t let any opportunity slip through our fingers.

“This ÂŁ35 million investment unlocks land that will help to cement the region as a leading destination for investment.”

Unite national officer for the automotive industry Roger Maddison welcomed the much-needed investment that’s now coming into Coventry.

“This is excellent news – we need more investment in high-skill, secure jobs in manufacturing in this area in particular,” he said. “I’m born and bred in Coventry and when I was a kid, this town was a massive motor town but over the years so much of that industry has been lost and so many of good jobs have gone with it, so I’m excited on deeply personal level as well.”

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke hailed the government’s investment decision but noted that it should only be seen as one part of the puzzle in advancing the automotive industry in the UK.

“This investment decision is welcome news and a vote of confidence in the skills of Unite members who have powered the success of the British car industry,” Burke said.

“But it’s vital for the future success of the car industry, supply chain and British manufacturing as a whole, that this investment is part of broader industrial strategy which secures our manufacturing base and enables it to go from strength to strength.”

Find out more about Unite’s manufacturing industrial strategy here.