Business minister Jonathan Reynolds has said that he did “everything possible” to prevent the planned closure of Vauxhall’s Luton van-producing plant, where 1,100 jobs are at risk.The closure was blamed on the government’s plan to force carmakers to build more electric vehicles,

Motor giant Stellantis says it is closing the van making plant in the context of the UK's rules on electric vehicle sales.

More than 1,100 jobs at the van-making factory are at risk, but Stellantis said it is hoping to transfer "hundreds" of Luton jobs to the group's Vauxhall site in Ellesmere Port. It is now in consultation with unions and employees over the proposals, which will also see it invest £50m into the Ellesmere Port factory.