Latest news with #Tussell
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Tesla's UK subsidies under scrutiny after Trump announces car tariffs
Tesla 's substantial UK taxpayer subsidies have come under renewed scrutiny following Donald Trump 's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on imported vehicles to the US. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government is reviewing its electric vehicle transition rules, amid calls for reciprocal tariffs on Tesla imports. The Liberal Democrats have advocated for tariffs on Tesla, citing owner Elon Musk 's support for the US president. "Given Musk's significant backing of Trump, imposing tariffs on Tesla imports would be a fitting response," a party spokesperson said. Data published by analysts Tussell in January revealed Tesla has benefited from £188 million in UK taxpayer subsidies since 2016, primarily through the plug-in car grant scheme. This scheme offers financial incentives for purchasing low-emission vehicles. Ms Reeves told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We don't want to get into a trade war, but we are looking at the zero emission vehicle mandate, which is, I think, why some of that money goes to Tesla, and looking at how we can better support the car manufacturing industry in the UK. 'We announced in the budget last year, I think, around £2 billion for an automotive fund as part of our modern industrial strategy. 'But look, we are working intensely with the US to try to come to an agreement ahead of these tariff increases next week. Let's see how that goes.' A 25 per cent tax on vehicles and vehicle parts imported to the US will come into effect on April 2. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'Our car industry is being left at the mercy of Trump and his destructive trade war. 'We should be preparing to respond if needed including through Tesla tariffs that hit Trump's crony Elon Musk in the pocket.' Mr Musk said tariffs will 'affect the price of parts in Tesla cars that come from other countries', adding that the 'cost impact is not trivial'. This was in response to a post on social media platform X – which he owns – which claimed Tesla 'could benefit the most' from tariffs on US imports. the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
US car tariffs puts focus on treatment of Tesla
Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on vehicles imported to the US has renewed focus on the UK's treatment of electric car maker Tesla. Chancellor Rachel Reeves noted the Government is reviewing its rules for the transition to electric motoring, while the Liberal Democrats said the party would put tariffs on Tesla imports as its owner, tech billionnaire Elon Musk, is a 'huge backer' of the US president. Analysts Tussell published figures in January showing Tesla had received £188 million in taxpayer subsidies from the Department for Transport since 2016. These related to the plug-in car grant, which enables people to save money on the purchase of low-emission vehicles. Ms Reeves told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We don't want to get into a trade war, but we are looking at the zero emission vehicle mandate, which is, I think, why some of that money goes to Tesla, and looking at how we can better support the car manufacturing industry in the UK. 'We announced in the budget last year, I think, around £2 billion for an automotive fund as part of our modern industrial strategy. 'But look, we are working intensely with the US to try to come to an agreement ahead of these tariff increases next week. Let's see how that goes.' A 25% tax on vehicles and vehicle parts imported to the US will come into effect on April 2. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'Our car industry is being left at the mercy of Trump and his destructive trade war. 'We should be preparing to respond if needed including through Tesla tariffs that hit Trump's crony Elon Musk in the pocket.' Mr Musk said tariffs will 'affect the price of parts in Tesla cars that come from other countries', adding that the 'cost impact is not trivial'. This was in response to a post on social media platform X – which he owns – which claimed Tesla 'could benefit the most' from tariffs on US imports. When Mr Trump became president in January, he appointed Mr Musk to a role cutting government costs by leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the Tesla Model Y was the fifth most popular new car in the UK last year, with 32,862 registrations.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Firm behind beleaguered Bibby Stockholm migrant barge handed another £150m government contract
The travel firm behind the controversial Bibby Stockholm migrant barge has been handed another £150m government contract, just months after Labour shut the vessel down following a litany of issues. The barge, which was based in Portland Port in Dorset, was used to house asylum seekers from 2023-2024 and was plagued with problems, including an outbreak of legionnaires disease that forced the temporary evacuation of residents onboard. An asylum seeker, Leonard Farruku, also took his own life on the barge in 2023, and other residents warned the site was unsafe and overcrowded. Corporate Travel Management (CTM), an Australian travel firm which was previously slammed for its handling of Covid quarantine hotels, was given the £1.6bn two-year Bibby contract to provide asylum ships and other accommodation. However, the value will now be significantly less than this, after Labour decided to close down the Bibby Stockholm. Now CTM has been given a further £150m contract to organise government travel services from 2025 to 2028, research company Tussell has found. Tussell estimates that since 2015 CTM has won a total of 143 contracts worth £3.1bn. On its website, CTM describes itself as 'a global provider of innovative and cost-effective travel solutions spanning corporate, events, leisure, loyalty and wholesale travel'. Then-prime minister Rishi Sunak announced plans for two further barges to be purchased to house up to 1,000 migrants in June 2023, but they never materialised and the only barge in use was the Bibby Stockholm. CTM chief executive Jamie Pherous told the Australian Financial Review newspaper in a 2020 interview that the company received Covid-related contracts from the UK government after a person 'close to' then prime minister Boris Johnson called him for help. The first contract involved repatriating UK citizens from abroad. CTM then got involved in providing hotel quarantine services but faced criticism for the high prices. All asylum seekers were moved off the Bibby Stockholm barge by the end of December last year, and it was pictured in January being towed out of Portland Port. Migrants on the barge said they felt like prisoners, were searched every time they went outside, and were unable to see their friends due to the detention-like conditions on the barge. One asylum seeker told researchers last year: 'They search everything - we have to remove belts, caps, jackets, then go through the scanner and luggage would go through the machine. If we have liquids, they check this. I tried to avoid the staff all the time. If they said something rude I kept silent. 'If you do something, they make reports. Because of this, when I was there I didn't go outside of the barge for 14 days, for two weeks. I just stayed in the room, because of the depression. I was so stressed because of my case.'
