Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch visited Aston Martin's HQ in Warwickshire today (20 October), where she met with apprentices and senior leaders and learnt more about the company's electrification strategy. 

The visit comes after the Department for Business and Trade announced almost £9 million in government funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre to develop Aston Martin's EV technology.

The department says this will support over 2,500 local jobs and "accelerate the development of a luxury battery EV platform"

The visit also comes just weeks after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he will delay banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035.

Ms Badenoch said: "We're backing our auto sector to succeed, and I was pleased to see first hand how Aston Martin's work here in Warwickshire is helping us lead the way on cutting edge new automotive technologies.  

"Working in partnership with the car industry, we're securing high-quality jobs and investment across the UK and growing the green industries of the future."  

During the visit the Business Secretary praised Aston Martin for flying the flag for British luxury car exports overseas and helping to drive innovation in UK advanced engineering.  

Michael Straughan, executive consultant to Aston Martin's CEO said: "We were honoured to welcome the Business Secretary to Gaydon today, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase the huge potential of the UK's luxury car industry and outline our high-performance electrification strategy, which has been boosted by funding from the APC. 

"As a growing, export-led business, Aston Martin is proud to serve as flagbearer for British advanced engineering and is passionate about working with the government to maximise opportunities for economic growth and to support high quality employment."