Starmer announces bold changes to support car industry

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged “bold changes” to the rules around electric and petrol cars and a diesel car ban in response to the beleaguered motor industry.

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The plans to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales on Monday, in a move expected to pile pressure on Rishi Sunak. Businesses are currently grappling with the new rules for the White House, which mean a 85 per cent tariff is now applied to foreign cars imported into the US, while other produce face a 10 per cent levy.

The prime minister’s announcement follows Jaguar and Rover’s decision to suspend shipments to the US over the weekend, as they look to “address the new trading terms”. Labour pledged in their election manifesto to restore the 2035 by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.

Sir Keir will say on Monday that “global trade is being transformed” and businesses need “a government that steps up”.

“That means action, not words,” the prime minister will say. “So today I am announcing bold changes to help ensure we support our car industry.