Protests Erupt Over Vauxhall Plant Closure in Luton Amid Job Loss Concerns

A significant protest has commenced outside the Vauxhall van plant in Luton, responding to Stellantis’ recent announcement of its impending closure slated for next year. This decision threatens the loss of approximately 1,100 jobs as the company plans to consolidate its electric van production with its other facility located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Stellantis, the automotive giant that owns several brands including Citroen, Peugeot, and Fiat, has stated that they are currently in discussions with trade unions regarding this decision. They have also committed to implementing a “comprehensive support plan” for those employees affected in Luton. However, Paul Geary, a senior representative for the Unite union at the Luton plant, voiced his concerns over the lack of infrastructure to support electric vehicle production. He emphasized that the challenges faced are not exclusive to Luton and warned that without necessary infrastructure upgrades, other manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, and Jaguar Land Rover may also struggle or be forced out of the market.

Local political representation voiced support for the protesting workers, with Labour MP Sarah Owen, representing Luton North, urging Stellantis to reconsider their closure decision during a Prime Minister’s Questions session. She highlighted the urgency of protecting local jobs, particularly in light of the company’s assertion that regulatory measures aimed at accelerating the shift to electric vehicles have influenced their closure decision.

The backdrop to this protest occurs as the UK government has mandated that by 2030, no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold. Currently, manufacturers must ensure that electric vehicles account for a notable percentage of their sales—22% for cars and 10% for vans this year alone.

The protest, which is set to take place over two days, from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT, features a rally organized by Unite scheduled for midday on Tuesday. The union’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham, condemned the closure of a plant that had only recently been prepared for electric vehicle production starting in 2025, describing it as senseless. She stressed the need for Stellantis to reconsider the imposed deadlines for redundancies established under former CEO Carlos Tavares and encouraged discussions among workers, management, and the government to explore viable futures for the Luton plant.