MP voices concern following news of Lotus cuts

An MP said protectionism "benefits no-one and harms everyone" following news of job losses at a sports car manufacturer.

Lotus, which is based near Wymondham, Norfolk, announced on Thursday that up to 270 jobs were to go in the UK.

It follows the loss of 94 jobs in November and cuts at its two Norfolk factories the previous January.

Ben Goldsborough, the Labour MP for South Norfolk, said: "The huge feeling is going to be of concern of what the future lies, and what [it means] not for just them but their families."

Lotus was founded in the early 1950s by engineer Colin Chapman, moving to Norfolk in the 1960s.

A spokesperson for the business, which has its headquarters and manufacturing facility at Hethel, said the cuts were "vital to enhance our competitiveness in today's market", and insisted that the company remained "committed to the UK".

They added: "Lotus Cars has announced a proposed business restructure to ensure sustainable operations, amid volatile and evolving market conditions including the US tariffs and shifting consumer demand for sports cars."

The news comes during a period of global uncertainty after US President Donald Trump imposed and then suspended tariffs on imports across the Atlantic.

Goldsborough said: "We need to restrict or remove barriers from trade. We need to make sure we have closer working relationships with like-minded countries."

He added: "What we have seen now is that protectionism benefits no-one and harms everyone, and what we have seen through the global trading situation that has been imposed by President Trump on the rest of the world has brought forward that volatility."

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