South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has blasted Senedd ministers after they deemed a request for a statement on at risk jobs at Aston Martin in the Vale of Glamorgan “slightly premature”.
Reports last week indicated more than 100 jobs are at risk at the St Athan plant in an ongoing review.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Davies said it was “bitterly regrettable” an in-depth statement hadn’t been issued and warned ministers must engage with the company to protect the jobs.
In response, Economy Minister Rebecca Evans said the request was “slightly premature” because “Aston Martin hasn’t said publicly how many workers might be affected”.
Mr Davies said the comments demonstrated Senedd ministers’ “breathtaking complacency” and would not give workers confidence their interests were being protected.
Mr Davies said:
“The Senedd minister’s comments that a statement Aston Martin would be premature shows breathtaking complacency.
“It’s been widely reported over 100 jobs are at risk at the St Athan plant, and workers would rightly expect ministers to defend their interests.
“Ministers cannot sit on their hands – they must work proactively with Aston Martin to protect these jobs before it’s too late.”
ENDS
NOTE: Please find below the Senedd’s record of proceedings from 12th November 2025
Andrew RT Davies
15:18:50
I joined in the business statement yesterday in making the point to the leader of the house that it was bitterly regrettable that the Government hadn’t issued an in-depth statement to capture all the points that the Welsh Government are, I hope, engaging with the company on over these job losses or potential job losses. We do know, back in the spring, that, obviously, 170 jobs were lost across the Aston Martin group in an earlier round of redundancies. As I understand it, there are three pressure points. The first is the tariffs in the American market and the concern the company has that they might be excluded from getting their fair share of the first 100,000 car units at 10 per cent tariff, as opposed to 27 per cent tariff, because of the size of operation they have. Is the business Minister able to enlighten us as to what discussion she is having with her UK colleagues to highlight the importance that Aston Martin gets its fair share of the quota of tariff reduction at 10 per cent, so that they can continue to export their cars to the American market?
And what market intelligence is the Welsh Government’s office in the Chinese market and across Asia feeding back about pressures within that market and consumer choice about the way that they’re buying cars? Because, again, market penetration by Aston Martin in the Chinese and Asian market, sadly, is shrinking, and, if that demand is shrinking, obviously that requires fewer units to be built at St Athan. So, can you enlighten the Chamber today as to what market intelligence has been fed back to you as the Minister to give some comfort that that maybe is a short-term issue that will be corrected in the medium to long term, thus guaranteeing the future of the plant?
And can you also confirm: have Aston Martin requested from the economy Minister and the Welsh Government any financial assistance to secure the long-term operations at St Athan, given the pressures they’re under? Because, like many big companies, when these twin pressure points are hitting the balance sheet, they end up burning through cash, and obviously the consolidation of cash, sadly, is leading to these potential job losses. So, is the Welsh Government in a position, along with the UK Government, if that request comes in, to step in and assist in market initiatives to increase the share and capacity at the St Athan plant?
Rebecca Evans
15:21:14
I’m grateful for those questions. I do think some of those are slightly premature, as is the request for the in-depth statement, because at the moment, as I’ve said, Aston Martin hasn’t said publicly how many workers might be affected, and they are entering into the consultation period. So, we are still early on, I think, in this particular situation.
The point about US quotas, though, is a really important one, and, although we did welcome the tariff reduction that has been secured for our automotive trade with the US, we’ve always said that the quota arrangements might be difficult for companies such as Aston Martin, in terms of their ability to grow and export, particularly because they are high-end, low-volume cars, and obviously the concern is that that 100,000 quota will get eaten up, if you like, by the high-volume car producers. So, my officials and I are in discussion with the UK Government as to what mechanisms might be available to ensure that there is a more level playing field for all automotive companies in the UK, as well as seeking clarity on whether the UK can negotiate improved conditions with the US that are similar to those that they have agreed with the EU and with Japan. So, those discussions are ongoing at the moment. I can confirm that I did have a discussion with a UK Minister this week on this particular issue, and those discussions will continue.
NOTE: Link to the original article can be found here