MERSEYSIDE MPs last night gave Lord Mandelson a stark warning that time was running out to rescue the car component industry.
An all-party group of MPs, led by Knowsley North and Sefton East MP George Howarth, warned of the “bleak future” confronting 100,000 employees.
They include Getrag Ford, which employs 700 people at its Halewood plant building gear boxers for Ford cars, and International Automotive Components Group Europe, which employs 150 people at the former Visteon plant, in Halewood.
The group’s four-point programme calls for government “wage subsidies” to keep workers in jobs, cheap loans for car-buyers, a “scrappage” scheme for old vehicles and cheaper credit for supply chain companies.
Mr Howarth said: “The UK’s vehicle component industry is fundamentally sound, yet the economic downturn has placed unprecedented pressure on the sector.
“Immediate action that saves jobs, gives better access to credit and supports consumers to buy more environmentally-friendly cars will ensure this high-tech industry is able to survive the downturn.”
