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Neena Calls for Urgent Action on Car Industry

Labour's Euro MPs have welcomed a European Parliament resolution calling for a united European response to help the troubled car industry.

Since the end of last year car sales have plummeted dramatically across the EU as the economic downturn has taken effect. This is endangering millions of jobs across the continent.

West Midlands Labour MEP Neena Gill, said: "It is in all our interests to act now to protect our car manufacturing and those connected to the industry as we cannot afford to let it go to the wall."

" The financial support being offered to the industry by the Council and Commission needs to be quickly delivered, with the least possible red tape".

Some Member States have already acted to try and prop up their struggling domestic markets by taking a series of individual measures. However, due to a lack of a coordinated response the impact as a whole on the market has been distorted and arguments over protectionist policies have restricted progress.

This came to the fore last week after French carmaker Renault announced it would be shifting production back to France from its Slovenian plant after the French government had guaranteed them state aid.

The Parliament has also called for the European Commission to give clear guidance on the best use of European funds available to help support jobs, Research and Development programmes and vital re-training schemes for vulnerable workers.

"The finance being offered by Europe could not only help secure high skilled jobs within the sector but could help support vital Research and Development that will be needed to ensure a future transition to a greener and more sustainable automobile industry" added Neena.