Electric Mini affected by 'post-Brexit red tape' - MPs

A group of Liberal Democrat MPs are calling on the government to take urgent action over "post-Brexit red tape" in order to safeguard the future of jobs at Oxford's Mini plant.

The MPs met with management and union representatives on Monday in the wake of the manufacturer BMW's decision to delay the reintroduction of electric vehicle making there.

Last month BMW said "multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry" had led to its decision to pause work on the £600m upgrade of the Cowley plant.

Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, told the BBC that many of his constituents working at the plant are worried for their jobs.

He said: "Because of the way Brexit has been implemented, hundreds of pages of paperwork need to be completed just for one car.

"If we can do more to work with our European partners to reduce that burden, then it will be easier for BMW to make the right decision and invest in the plant's future in Oxford."

Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, also attended the meeting and described the lack of investment in infrastructure as worrying.

"The charging infrastructure simply isn't there and we haven't seen the capacity built for battery manufacture in the UK, and that is causing problems," he said.

The MPs say their discussions were "fruitful" and they plan to meet the Minister for Industry in April to press for clarity on the government's plans for the car industry.

In 2023 BMW announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to prepare the factory to build a new generation of electric cars.

Production of two new electric Mini models was due to begin at the plant in 2026.

The industry has been in a long-running debate with the government over its targets for electric vehicle production, with manufacturers saying they will not be able to meet the current targets.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it recognised the challenges they were facing and was listening to concerns.

It said it was consulting on "reinstating the 2030 electric vehicle deadline while also protecting jobs", a decision it said was "supported by a majority of manufacturers who have been working towards this date and are on track to meet their zero emission vehicle mandate targets".

The DfT said it was investing more than £2.3bn to support industry and consumers to make the switch to electric.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.