Unite slams Vauxhall closure plan as ‘slap in the face’ for Luton workers

Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, has condemned Stellantis’ proposal to shut down its Vauxhall van plant in Luton, describing the move as “a slap in the face” to the local workforce.

The factory, a cornerstone of the town’s economy and community for over a century, produces Vauxhall vans and employs more than 1,000 people.

The closure would redirect operations to Ellesmere Port on Merseyside, where Stellantis, Vauxhall’s parent company, has invested in electric vehicle manufacturing. However, this decision has sparked widespread criticism for overlooking the economic and cultural contributions of the Luton plant​.

A Unite spokesperson criticised the decision, stating: “The proposal that has been tabled today has been a complete slap in the face for our members in Luton, where Vauxhall vehicles have been manufactured for 120 years. Whatever the positive benefits this plan may have for Ellesmere Port, that is not acceptable.

“We stand ready to support our members in doing whatever we can to ensure that historical vehicle manufacturing is maintained in Luton and we call on the government to do the same.”

Luton South and South Bedfordshire MP Rachel Hopkins also expressed concern, emphasising the plant’s integral role in Luton’s identity and economy.

“The Vauxhall plant is part of the fabric of Luton’s heritage and vital to our local economy. For over a century, generations of Lutonians have worked there, contributing to the production of vehicles like the Vivaro van,” she said​.

Unite and local leaders are urging the UK government to step in. The trade union has highlighted the need for reassurances from Stellantis regarding the fate of the Luton workforce and criticised the company for its handling of the transition to electric vehicles.

This follows Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’s recent criticism of the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which he argued has imposed unrealistic targets for electric vehicle adoption​. The proposed closure of the Luton plant adds to growing tensions in the UK’s automotive sector, as the push for electrification clashes with market realities and workforce needs.