MINISTERS must “go further” to support Britain’s automotive industry, car workers demanded yesterday while the government trumpeted a “landmark” deal to support the sector.

The government announced £26.4 million of investment, matched by industry to total £52.8 million, to help develop the next generation of driverless and low-carbon vehicles, with flagship projects led by Ford, GKN and Jaguar Land Rover.

But the news offered little comfort to workers at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant who were told on Monday of 250 further job losses.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark boasted: “Today, automotive firms from around the world choose to set up shop here, citing our history of excellence, skilled workforce and world-leading supply chains.”

Car workers’ union Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: “Unite welcomes any new investment in the UK’s world-class car industry, but, against a backdrop of continued Brexit uncertainty and job losses at Ellesmere Port, we demand that the government goes further.

“We need a proper long-term plan for the automotive sector with union involvement that includes a ‘just transition’ plan for workers in the diesel and the traditional supply chain.

“If the UK automotive sector is to retain its world-leading status, then government must do more to support firms in the supply chain so they can retool, reinvest and reskill workers for the next generation of components.”

Driverless cars remain highly controversial. Leading transport commentator Christian Wolmar has just published a book arguing the project is “on a road to nowhere.”

Mr Burke said Unite would publish a plan for electric vehicles in the coming weeks.