Vauxhall owner to close Luton plant

The owner of Vauxhall has announced it will close its van making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk.

Stellantis, which also owns brands including Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, said it would consolidate its electric van production at its other UK plant in Ellesmere Port.

The decision comes after the company warned in June it may halt UK production unless the government did more to boost demand for electric vehicles.

There are growing concerns among car manufacturers that rules designed to speed up the transition to electric are too harsh.