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<p>The Government is working with the car manufacturers and key industry groups to
identify and assess supply chain risks in all cases where car manufacturing operations
are expected to cease or reduce. It is a complex picture and it is difficult to project
the number of potential job losses. Every effort is being made to minimise job losses
by supporting affected suppliers to identify new opportunities to sustain and potentially
grow their businesses before the impact of these announcements comes to pass.</p><p>My
rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
convened the latest meeting of the Honda Swindon Task Force on 19 June bringing together
civic leaders, local partners and MPs, Honda, Unite the Union, sector representatives
and leading government officials. I am pleased to confirm that the Government announced
this April that Swindon will be one of twelve new Institutes of Technology to be set
up across the country to boost the nation's skills and set more young people on a
clear path to high quality and well-paid jobs. I strongly support this announcement,
with Swindon being selected from a highly competitive field, which is testament to
the hard work of Swindon College and the consortia involved in the bid. This will
build on Swindon's reputation and heritage for world beating manufacturing and engineering,
putting Swindon at the heart of the industries and jobs of tomorrow.</p><p>The Government
has recently launched the £16m National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels (NMCL)
supply chain programme, which is designed to improve competitiveness, raise workforce
capability, and increase the productivity of automotive suppliers. The programme is
open to Honda suppliers. The Task Force is expected to continue to meet on a regular
basis to assess and mitigate impacts stemming from closure of Honda operations in
Swindon.</p><p>We are doing everything possible to support businesses, their workforce
and communities affected by the announcements. We continue the strive to attract investment,
creating highly-skilled jobs that offer fulfilling careers for years to come.</p>
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