Union leaders call for urgent state aid

A union is calling for urgent Government intervention after more jobs are cut in the UK car industry.

Derek Simpson, the joint leader of Unite, is calling for a Government-funded support package similar to the deal offered last year by French, German and Swedish governments to their own domestic manufacturers.

The union leader said: 'Governments in the US, Germany, France and Sweden have granted support, and we are calling on our Government to give viable British manufacturing companies similar help so that we don't lose the skills essential to ensuring this country emerges from the recession as a leading economy.'

Unite's call for a state-funded aid package comes as Jaguar Land Rover announced that it is cutting 450 jobs.

'It has been an extremely bleak beginning to the new year and there's no doubt that 2009 is going to be very tough for working families across the country.

'Unions, the Government and business need to work together to support British jobs and British skills through strategic intervention.' Said Simpson.