An upcoming ban on petrol and diesel cars could put jobs at risk, according to warnings from Labour backbenchers. Steve Yemm, Labour MP for Mansfield, revealed that several colleagues have raised concerns about the new rules set to take effect in 2030.
Concerns Over Consumer Demand and Job Losses
Mr Yemm stated that constituents working at a Toyota factory were "all concerned" and called for an urgent review of the regulations. He said: "The big concerns I have is that consumer demand is behind where it should be in order to meet the requirements of the mandate by 2030 and by 2035. And we're going to be ramping up from where we are now through to those years."
He added: "I don't think the industry can support that and I think that it's a threat to jobs in the industry. That's my big concern. These are important well paid jobs and a number of car workers live in my constituency in Mansfield."
Balancing Net-Zero Goals with Employment
Mr Yemm emphasized: "We all want to meet the goal of net-zero and decarbonisation, but it can't be at the cost of good jobs." Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), echoed these sentiments: "While industry shares the long-term ambition, the pathway to Net Zero must be credible. It cannot come at the cost of lost competitiveness and deindustrialisation."
Government Response
Kier Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, stated: "The Government keeps the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate under continual review to ensure it remains effective." He added: "We have a long-standing commitment to publish a formal review of the ZEV Mandate by early 2027. We are beginning discussions to inform the review, so that stakeholders can be properly consulted."
