South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has demanded a statement from Senedd ministers on the announcement by Aston Martin that over 100 jobs are at risk at its St Athan plant.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Davies warned that silence from Senedd ministers was unacceptable, given the importance of the plant to the economy in the Vale of Glamorgan.
He told Senedd minister Jane Hutt he was “amazed no statement has come out of the economy department.”
He said that “the asks from Aston Martin seem to be pretty clear to me” and urged ministers to “speak up for the plant in St Athan before it is too late.”
Mr Davies said:
“It’s deeply concerning that over 100 jobs are at risk at the Aston Martin plant in St Athan, and I’m frankly amazed Senedd ministers have not brought forward a statement.
“A 25% tariff has been imposed by the US on car imports into the country, but a lower rate of 10% will apply to the first 100,000 UK-made cars brought in.
“As Aston Martin is a small producer of cars, there are concerns they’ll struggle to secure a fair share of that 100,000 quota.
“This ask seems pretty clear and Senedd ministers must be proactive.
“They must speak up for the plant in St Athan before it’s too late.”
ENDS
NOTE: Please find below the Senedd’s record of proceedings from 1th November 2025
Andrew RT Davies
15:13:11
Could I join calls for the statement on Aston Martin to be brought forward as a matter of urgency, business manager? It is really important that the Government address the pressing problems at the St Athan site. I am amazed that no statement has come out of the economy department. The asks from Aston Martin seem to be pretty clear to me. One of them is about making sure they get their fair share of the £100,000 quota that is placed on the 10 per cent rate into America for cars, and there’s a genuine concern that, given Aston Martin is a small producer of cars, as against the big multiples that put many units into the American market, they will struggle to secure a fair share of that quota, and in which case their cars will carry a 27.5 per cent tariff in the American market. Surely the Welsh Government have information about the economic situation in Asia, and in particular in the Chinese market, that they could put in a statement, given that you’ve got your offices out there that you keep talking about. So, why have the Welsh Government been so quiet over this matter? I urge with urgency that the economy Minister bring a statement forward and start speaking up for the plant in St Athan before it is too late.
Jane Hutt
15:14:30
We have been speaking up for the plant in St Athan, and again I declare an interest here as the constituency Member for the Vale of Glamorgan. But it is important that this is aired and shared today, this afternoon, in business questions, and as I’ve said, and I’ve responded to Heledd Fychan in terms of her questions, not only is the Welsh Government directly in contact with Aston Martin, but also the Secretary of State for Wales, because this is also for the Department for Business and Trade for the UK Government, particularly in relation to that really important point that you make, Andrew R.T. Davies, about ensuring that Aston Martin is not disadvantaged by being a small-volume manufacturer, which, of course, is very bespoke in terms of Aston Martin and the relations it has, of course, in terms of trade and business with the market, and the market, of course, now in the US—80 per cent, I think, of the market for their cars is with the US. So, again, it’s important that this has been aired today and I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning is fully involved, with her officials and with UK Government officials as well. I will be very pleased to update Members, as will the Cabinet Secretary, on those conversations and impacts.