Appeal to ministers over Jaguar

It is not known how the plans will affect the Browns Lane plant

Two of Coventry's MPs have called on the Department of Trade and Industry to put pressure on Jaguar over possible cuts in production at the city's plant.

The luxury car maker announced plans to reduce production last week but it is not known how they will affect its three factories in the UK.

Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson and Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham met ministers on Tuesday.

Ministers say they will now talk to managers at the Browns Lane factory.

There are suppliers to consider so we're not just talking about Jaguar Jim Cunningham MP

The Amicus union has said it does not think there will be job cuts at the plant but it believes workers' hours will be reduced.

The MPs want as much pressure as possible put on Jaguar's parent company Ford.

Mr Cunningham said: "We expressed to ministers that Jaguar was synonymous with Coventry.

"It's very important for employment but there are suppliers to consider as well so we're not just talking about Jaguar.

Sales drop

"We need to get clarification about the situation because about 18 months ago we had the same thing happening.

"Nobody really knows what will happen until the local management at Jaguar in Coventry meet the major company in the US to sort out what the problems are."

Mr Robinson said the two MPs plan to meet with the company's management as soon as possible.

The firm has blamed the reduction in production on the weakness of the dollar and a drop in sales in the US.