Automotive industry leaders have insisted a Brexit deal must be agreed, despite Michael Gove’s claims that carmakers told him they are prepared for a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr Gove told MPs that members of the automotive sector had told him they were ready for a no-deal Brexit scenario.
Mr Gove, the Cabinet minister in charge of preparations for a no-deal Brexit, had travlled to Coventry on Monday to meet with leaders of Aston Martin, the British Ceramic Confederation, Ford, Make 海角视频, Toyota and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at the National Automotive Innovation Centre.
Speaking in the House of Commons two days later, Mr Gove said: “The automotive sector, who I met this week, confirmed that they were ready, the retail sector said they were ready.”
Representatives from the car industry, however, repeated its warning that a no-deal Brexit would have a devastating effect on the sector - and that it can’t mitigate serious risks.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, who was present at the roundtable event, said: “European automotive is deeply integrated and the benefits of free and frictionless trade have helped our sector become one of Europe’s most valuable assets, delivering billions to economies and supporting millions of livelihoods across the EU.
“A ‘no-deal’ Brexit would have an immediate and devastating impact on the industry, undermining competitiveness and causing irreversible and severe damage.
“海角视频 and EU negotiators have a responsibility to work together to agree a deal or risk destroying this vital pillar of our economies.”
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Mr Hawes later took to Twitter to further clarify his views on the matter:
He said: “Auto has been consistent & clear: Spent over £1/2bn on prep but can’t fully mitigate serious risks. Need deal & free & frictionless trade.”
The retail sector has also responded to Mr Gove’s claim that it is also prepared for no-deal.
A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium said: “We have been crystal clear that while retailers are doing everything they can to prepare for a no deal Brexit on October 31, there are limits to what can be done.
"It is impossible to completely mitigate the significant disruption which would be caused by no deal.
“Checks and delays at the border, limited warehousing capacity in the run up to Black Friday and Christmas, and the increased reliance on imported fruit and vegetables through the winter months mean that popular goods, such as strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce, would likely see reduced availability, and higher prices.”
The Cabinet Office has been asked to comment on Mr Gove’s statement.