Mandelson meets with Magna

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson met with Magna bosses and German ministers yesterday, as fears grew over the future of Vauxhall jobs in the UK.

Magna, which is expected to take over General Motors (GM) Europe – Opel and Vauxhall – was expected to favour German factories over the UK’s, leading to worries that plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton would close down, leaving 5,500 unemployed.“We are negotiating to keep Vauxhall production and employment continuing in Britain, and with a secure, viable future,” Mandelson said after yesterday’s talks.

He said the meeting with Magna was “good” and “positive.”