UK trade secretary meeting Rover task force

Britain's new Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson will today make his first visit to the West Midlands since his appointment on a fact finding mission in the aftermath of the MG Rover crisis.

The minister will meet members of the Rover Task Force as well as companies affected by the collapse of the carmaker.

He will also assess efforts being made to help thousands of ex-Rover workers find new jobs.

The visit came as administrators continued to study offers from three firms to buy the sports car side of MG Rover and two groups interested in buying the rest of the business.

PricewaterhouseCooper has said there is still as “outside possibility” some form of car production could resume at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham.