Warwickshire's automotive sector represents one of our constituency's greatest economic assets.

With Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover both based at Gaydon, we host two of Britain's most iconic car manufacturers – companies that provide skilled employment for thousands of local families and underpin much of our regional prosperity.

Next week is National Apprenticeships Week, and apprentices who are training to become the engineers and technicians of tomorrow will be in Westminster.

These young people are gaining exceptional qualifications that will serve them throughout their careers, and their employers are investing significantly in developing talent right here in Warwickshire.

The quality of these programmes demonstrates why vocational pathways must be valued as highly as university education, something I've consistently argued for.

Recently, I also visited Wells Motor Cars, which produces the Vertige sportscar entirely by hand in Warwickshire.

With virtually all components sourced from British suppliers, many within a 40-mile radius, it's a powerful reminder that our automotive heritage spans from household names to specialist manufacturers, each contributing to our region's reputation for engineering excellence.

Yet despite this strength, Government policy is creating serious headwinds for the industry.

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For example, the Chancellor's new pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles is forecast to reduce sales by 440,000 over five years, actively undermining the Government's own mandate. We have to question whether this approach serves either consumers or British manufacturing.

Any transition to electric vehicles must work for everyone. I've raised concerns in Parliament about ensuring accessibility for disabled drivers, who face particular challenges with charging infrastructure and vehicle adaptations.

A rushed mandate that ignores these practical considerations (alongside affordability, infrastructure readiness and consumer choice) risks leaving people behind whilst damaging the very industry we need to deliver cleaner vehicles.

Whether global brands or independent manufacturers, whether electric, hybrid or traditional vehicles, our automotive companies need pragmatic policies that recognise market realities whilst supporting innovation and protecting the skilled jobs that underpin our region's prosperity.

Families across our constituency deserve policies that support a sensible transition whilst protecting the jobs and manufacturing that are so vital to Warwickshire.