Government set to 'pull plug' on multi-million pound support deal for Nissan

A multi-million pound support package for Nissan workers in Sunderland could be scrapped by the government.

The North East-based car maker has quit its plans to build its X-Trail model in the UK. Staff at the Sunderland plant are expected to meet Union members today (February 4) following the news that Nissan will make the SUV model in Japan instead.

The support package for Nissan is said to be worth £60m, according to The Times.

Reportedly, Nissan had pledged to manufacture both the SUV and Qashqai models in the UK just four months after 2016’s Brexit referendum, and it was met with confidence.

However, Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Vince Cable said Nissan’s decision demonstrated that big companies are “reconsidering” their future based in the UK.

He added: “I’m afraid that where Nissan leads the others, Toyota, Honda, BMW, the rest of them, we’re going to see a down-scaling of their operations in the UK.”