More than 1,000 jobs at one of the country’s largest vehicle plants have been put at risk after Vauxhall became the latest company to scale back its UK production.
Ministers have been forced into talks with manufacturers amid fears that electric vehicle (EV) targets will hit carmakers with ruinous fines.
Stellantis, Vauxhall’s parent company, said that the government’s “challenging” mandates, aimed at phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, had played a significant part in its decision to shut its van-making plant in Luton.
Last week Ford announced it would cut 800 jobs in the UK because of slower than expected EV sales, while Nissan warned that jobs at its Sunderland plant, the largest car factory in Britain, could also be at risk.
Fines are issued