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The Japanese carmaker said earlier this month it would slash 20,000 jobs and mothball seven of its 17 factories globally in a bid to cut costs.
No announcement has been made about Nissan’s Washington plant but Downing Street said it is a “concerning” time for the 6,000 workers there.
Speaking after two new trade deals with the US and India were announced, set to reduce tariffs and provide “long-term stability” for 14,000 automotive workers here, the PM said he hoped both would help protect jobs. It will also benefit some of the region’s biggest manufacturers like Cummins in Darlington and Caterpillar in Peterlee.
The Prime Minister told The Northern Echo: “We’ve got a long standing partnership with Nissan and we’re working closely with them to ensure that we do have long-term sustainability.
“We’ve asked the company to share their full plans so we can assess the impact and we’re taking significant action, investing a lot in car manufacturing.
“I do think there’s this additional piece now with the India deal and the EU deal which we only signed on Monday, that will reduce tariffs on cars and which does mean there’s a viability of protection of those jobs.
“It’s very important having struck these trade deals including in relation to car manufacturing that we’re able now to take advantage of them and make sure that is measured in good jobs saved and preserved in the North East and more jobs coming in online.”
Sir Keir Starmer. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) He added: “These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the North East Combined Authority.”
Nissan said the shake-up will help “create a leaner, more resilient business” and that it is targeting 250 billion yen (£1.28 billion) of cost savings against the previous financial year and cited stalling sales in China and the US.
Sir Keir met with the Council of the Regions and Nations including North East and Tees Valley Mayors Kim McGuinness and Ben Houchen to discuss his trade plans.
Ms McGuinness previously vowed to do “everything she could” to keep the Washington car plant open.
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The PM said: “Today was about having signed these three trade deals answering the Q how does that make a difference for the NE how do we make sure that families and individuals and communities across the NE feel the impact of these deals in their pockets and in their communities.”
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.
“We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in the North East, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.”
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