Why won't Sunak act to save our car-makers from crashing?

THE writing is on the wall. But how high do the letters have to be before this Government notices?

- Chris Blackhurst

It’s a shame there isn’t a blank expanse of brick facing Downing Street because, for once in my life, I would condone a hoodie with a spray can. “Britain’s car industry is facing oblivion.”

I know, not very sexy, not very graffiti. Perhaps Banksy could do better. Here’s hoping because something must get through. Search me if I know what it is.

In the absence of graphic street art, ministers have stacks of press cuttings and their own “intel” to fall back upon. Clearly, though, they’re not enough, since there is precious evidence of anything being done.

“Ford is cutting one in five jobs in Britain”, “UK car production collapses to lowest for 66 years”, “Nissan warns costs must fall to make cars in the UK”, “Britishvolt hopes for last-minute rescue bid” … these are all recent headlines.

The last is especially telling. Britishvolt was planning on building a £3.8 billion factory to make electric vehicle batteries. Some 3000 jobs would be created in Blyth in Northumberland and Britain’s push into electric car and truck manufacturing would receive a major fillip.

Instead, Britishvolt collapsed into administration. An Australian start-up, Recharge Industries, has emerged as the likely buyer.