The GMB union, which represents Jaguar Land Rover workers, says the Government must focus on getting a clear commitment to a customs union with Europe on the back of warnings from JLR about its future in the UK.

JLR has said a hard Brexit could threaten its future investment plans for the UK

In a statement, the carmaker said while its “heart and soul” are in the UK, a hard Brexit would cost JLR more than £1.2bn profit each year and leading it to re-evaluate its spending plans; it’s spent around £50bn in the UK in the past five years and currently plans for a further £80bn more in the next five.

CEO Dr Ralf Speth spelled out: “This would be in jeopardy should be faced with the wrong outcome.”

The warnings come on the back of similar comments from BMW and Airbus.

In response, Stuart Richards, GMB senior organiser, said: “We cannot afford to lose Jaguar Land Rover and its supply chain – it would be an economic car crash.

“The best thing that could come out of the Prime Minister’s get-together at Chequers is a clear commitment to the UK being part of a customs union with Europe. This Government needs to start thinking of the lives of Britain’s workers – and their families – rather than internal Tory party bickering.”