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.

Engineering giant BAE Systems is to open a recruitment office in Birmingham in a drive to hire some of the workers losing their jobs following the collapse of MG Rover, it was revealed today.

Thousands of workers at ailing British car giant MG Rover were sent home on full pay today and were left in no doubt that the chances of a deal to secure their future were slim.

Administrators at the collapsed MG Rover car group are seeking to reopen discussions with Chinese manufacturers SAIC to revive a deal which could keep the company’s Longbridge plant open, it was confirmed today.