TWO senior Labour MPs have branded news Honda plans to pull out of Swindon "devastating" for the town and the UK's car industry. 

Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and chairman of the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, said: "This is devastating for Swindon, for jobs, for the supply-chain, and for the UK’s car industry. The threat of Brexit is already having a damaging impact on investment decisions in the UK.

"The PM now needs to rule out no deal immediately and keep us in the single market and customs union rather than risk further fatal damage to our car industry. Japan and the EU have a free-trade agreement, guaranteeing tariff free access. It would be an act of folly to toss that away, along with friction-free access to the EU market, in the forlorn hope that we could negotiate a better deal.”

Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s shadow Business Secretary, added: "This would be a devastating blow to the thousands of workers in Swindon, our automotive sector, and its supply chain.

“We are seeking confirmation and the reasons for Honda’s decision, however it is clear that the Conservatives’ Brexit deadlock is not only risking our future economy, it is damaging it right now.

“The government must urgently talk to Honda and the trade unions to save these highly skilled jobs and our car manufacturing sector before it is too late and of course they must take no deal off the table.’’