MP Emma Hardy calls for more help for Hull's caravan manufacturing industry

Hull West and Hessle MP, in a debate secured in the Commons yesterday, said caravan manufacturing was a “Great British success story”.

But she added: “Because caravan manufacturers are not officially part of the leisure and tourism sector, they are not eligible for the extra Government support that leisure and tourism enjoy, so I am here to speak up for an industry which faces unique challenges and plays a pivotal role in the prosperity of a region that has no capacity to withstand its loss.”

Ms Hardy said when lockdown began in March, some 3,361 caravan parks and 381 caravan dealerships closed.

“At a stroke, 2.4m people were denied the use of their caravan, either static or towed,” she said.

“The result was that the entire caravan manufacturing industry came to an abrupt halt. Notwithstanding the requirements for effective social distancing and hygiene in workplaces, as no more orders were arriving on the companies’ books, 208 caravan manufacturers and 647 suppliers closed, and 90 per cent of the workforce is currently furloughed.”

She said: “I therefore ask that consideration is given to a flexible, sector-focused approach to ending the furlough scheme that would allow its extension in the case of the caravan manufacturing industry so that companies are able to retain staff through an extended period of inactivity.”

But she added: “The people of Hull and East Riding, and no doubt the rest of the country, want to work. They do not want to sit at home. Far better than furlough would be orders. As a way of stimulating demand, I urge the Government to consider mechanisms such as allowing static caravan site owners to be able to accelerate capital write-offs or other value added tax measures.”

Hull East MP Karl Turner added: “We have got not much of an ask for the Minister. We need support, and we are very grateful to the Government for the support and the interventions they have made already, but we need that flexibility in the job retention scheme to be extended for this unique and specific industry, and we need the Government to think carefully about the business rate relief grants as well.”

Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said he recognised the sector “faces challenges in the immediate future” but pointed to the business support package already provided which he said “already supports the caravan industry and its workers”.

He added: “There is no doubt in my mind that the medium to long-term prospects for the industry are strong. The British public have a long-standing love affair with their caravans, which transformed the holiday habits of generations of families following the post-war boom in the 1950s and up to the present day.”