Tom Goodenough Tom Goodenough

What the papers say: Nissan’s Brexit boost for Britain

Theresa May hailed Nissan’s decision to stay put in Sunderland and build its new Qashqai and X-Trail models at its plant in the north-east as a ‘vote of confidence’ in the UK. But was this just the PM drumming up the deal or is it really such good news for Britain?

The Times suggests the agreement may have come at a price. The newspaper says a ‘written promise’ was made to the company that it wouldn’t lose out from Brexit. Some have said it smacks of a sweetheart deal between the Government and the carmaker – something business secretary Greg Clarke, who insisted no cheque book was waved at the car giant, has denied. While there is some uncertainty about exactly what the ‘assurances’ given to Nissan were though, The Times says we should focus on the positives.

In its editorial, the paper agrees that Nissan’s decision is ‘good news for the industry and a victory for the Government’. It says that Ministers clearly said ‘the right thing’ to salve the Japanese car giant’s worries. But the Times does say that other car makers ‘will want whatever Nissan got’, suggesting Toyota and Honda – who make 320,000 cars in Britain between them – might be among those who leave the taxpayer with a big bill if they knock on Downing Street’s door demanding parity. While there are clearly challenges ahead, however, the paper says the fact the Government cleared this hurdle is ‘encouraging’. And along with healthy growth figures yesterday it shows there are glimmers of hope on the ‘tortuous road’ ahead.

Nissan’s decision to stay put in Sunderland is a ‘huge vote of confidence’ in Britain says the Daily Mail, which almost precisely echoes the words of Theresa May.

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