BFF-05 British MPs ‘deeply troubled’ by Nissan UK investment reports

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BFF-05

BRITAIN-EU-POLITICS-BREXIT

British MPs ‘deeply troubled’ by Nissan UK investment reports

LONDON, Feb 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – British MPs on Saturday said they were
“deeply troubled” by reports that Japanese car manufacturer Nissan is
cancelling plans to build its X-Trail SUV in Britain despite Brexit
assurances from the government.

Nissan is set to announce on Monday that it has changed plans to build the
vehicle at its plant in Sunderland, northeast England, according to Sky News.

Local MP Bridget Phillipson, tweeted that the reports “represent deeply
troubling news for the north east economy — So many jobs and livelihoods
depend on Nissan’s success.”

The car giant is a major employer in the region, a former industrial
powerhouse that has suffered decades of economic decline, and which voted
heavily in favour of Brexit.

Colleague Julie Elliott said Brexit had played an “inevitable role” in the
decision, adding “none of it is conducive to encouraging business investment
in this country”.

Nissan employs almost 7,000 people at the plant, which has produced cars
since 1986.

Work already committed to is not likely to be affected, and the effect on
jobs is expected to be minimal.

Other multinational giants including Airbus warned this week that British
jobs could suffer in the event of an unfavourable Brexit outcome.

BSS/AFP/MSY/0937 hrs