General Motor chief in UK amid fears over Vauxhall jobs

Unite boss Len McCluskey has said he received no assurances on British jobs at Vauxhall after a meeting over a possible takeover that has raised fears for the future of thousands of workers.

The president of General Motors (NYSE: GM - news) , Dan Ammann, flew into London to hold talks with Business Secretary Greg Clark and Mr McCluskey amid reports that GM is looking to sell its loss-making European operation to Peugeot (Other OTC: PUGOF - news) owner PSA Group.

The deal would include Vauxhall, which has plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton employing 4,500 staff.

Mr McCluskey said the end of the meeting that he had received no assurances on job levels.

"No assurances at the moment. But this is a story that is unfolding - we'll wait to see what the next instalment is," he told Sky News.

Mr McCluskey said he is "always optimistic" that a positive solution can be reached, but affirmed "Unite's determination to protect every single job" in the country.

Mr Clark said the talks were "constructive".

"I emphasised the importance and successful presence of Vauxhall in the UK and welcomed GM's recognition of the excellent and committed workforce at Ellesmere Port, Luton and across the UK," he said in a statement.

"There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA but I was reassured by GM's intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them.

"This follows on from GM's recent significant investments both at Ellesmere Port and Luton. We will continue to be in close contact with GM and PSA in the days and weeks ahead."

Mr Clark is also seeking a meeting with PSA Group at the earliest opportunity to discuss the proposed deal, which would see GM exit the UK and Europe and turn the PSA Group into Europe's second-largest car maker.

It would have a 16% share of the market and see Vauxhall and Opel shift to the French government-backed automotive giant.

Vauxhall is a major employer in the UK, with around 35,000 staff, including 23,000 in its retail network, 300 at a customer contact centre in Luton and 7,000 in its supply chain alongside workers at its two factories.

Germany has already expressed concerns at the proposed takeover, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet discussing any possible impact on German jobs on Wednesday.