Austin lands electric cars role
Ian Austin has been appointed as vice chair on a parliamentary group working on policy for electric and automated vehicles.
The group brings together manufacturers, businesses, media, NGOs, and experts to share information, promote awareness, and debate about future low-carbon transport technologies.
The Dudley North Labour MP – who recently visited Westfields, the Dudley-based car company that is developing new electric and driverless vehicle technologies – said he wants the Black Country to benefit from the millions of jobs that these new technologies will generate.
He also recently joined the Parliamentary group for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which looks at advances in new-technology.
Mr Austin pledged to campaign to bring new investment, new industries and new jobs to the Black Country.
“Technology is going to change our lives and the whole world faster than ever before," he said.
"There'll be massive growth and lots of well-paid jobs in new hi-tech industries over the next 20 years. At the same time, lots of jobs will also disappear.
“We can't prevent these changes. The only choice is whether we are going to benefit from them or be victims of them and this is why we have to make science, technology, education and new skills our top priorities.
“Businesses like Westfields are developing really exciting technologies in Dudley and I want to see the Black Country lead in the new industrial revolution just like we led in the last one, so that we can bring new jobs and greater prosperity to this area.”
