Plant Oxford Site

Debate between Baroness Jones of Whitchurch and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon

Tuesday 25th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

May I ask my noble friend to pay tribute to BMW? These are very difficult times, with global headwinds making it extremely difficult for the automotive industry. BMW is an excellent employer, and I hope that there will not be redundancies, but should there, be I hope that the Government would do everything they could to safeguard jobs in Oxford. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to BMW for the work that it does in the community—it believes in enhancing the lives and opportunities of people who live in the environs of the factory.

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

I concur with my noble friend’s point. BMW often describes Oxford as the home of the Mini and sees that investment as crucial. I hope that my noble friend and other noble Lords will welcome our new announcement for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and the high-potential sectors within that, in which the automotive sector could well play a part. My noble friend Lord Vallance will be the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor champion; it will ensure new investment into the sector and, I hope, provide further encouragement for BMW to carry on investing in the Mini lines.