Car makers limited to 250m per company

Government support for ailing car makers will be limited to 250 million per company, according to reports from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced a 2.3 billion package of measures on Tuesday to help the motor industry in the face of plummeting demand.

Early reports suggest that at least half of the cash guarantees would be divided between Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall.

However, Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, has revealed that the Government will impose a cap of 250m in aid.

The move to limit funds available to manufacturers is said to have been greeted with frustration from within the car industry.