Keir Starmer to announce major changes affecting millions in wake of Trump tariffs

Britain’s car industry is about to get a major boost from the government as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to announce new support measures. This comes at a crucial time when UK manufacturers are facing tough new trade taxes from the US that threaten jobs and exports.

The big changes will give car companies more breathing room to adapt to green energy rules. While the ban on new petrol and diesel cars will still happen in 2030, hybrids like the Toyota Prius will now have until 2035 to phase out. Luxury brands like Aston Martin and McLaren will also get some flexibility from strict emissions targets that were proving difficult to meet.

These moves come as a direct response to the punishing new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. British cars heading to America now face a 10% tax on top of an existing 25% charge on imported vehicles. The impact has been immediate – Jaguar Land Rover has already stopped shipping cars to the US, and industry experts warn over 25,000 UK jobs could be at risk.

Starmer has been working the phones with European leaders including France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz to coordinate a response. He’s described the current situation as a fundamental shift in global trade, telling British businesses: “The world as we knew it has gone.” The government’s message is clear – they won’t leave UK industry to face these challenges alone.

While environmental groups have questioned the decision to extend the hybrid deadline, ministers argue this practical approach gives car makers the stability they need during turbulent times. The Transport Secretary says it’s about providing “clarity and leadership” to an industry that’s been “stifled by uncertainty for too long.”

This automotive package is just the first part of a broader economic plan to protect British jobs and industries. With more announcements expected this week, the government is moving quickly to shore up key sectors of the economy against what looks like a prolonged period of global trade instability.

For workers in car factories and related businesses across the country, these measures could make the difference between keeping their jobs or facing layoffs. But with major trading partners like the EU also facing similar US tariffs, the road ahead remains uncertain for Britain’s automotive sector.