General Motors chief in UK amid fears over Vauxhall jobs

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

The president of General Motors (NYSE: GM - news) , Dan Ammann, is in London for talks with Business Secretary Greg Clark and Mr McCluskey amid reports that US-based 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 told Sky News after the meeting: "No assurances at the moment. But this is a story that is unfolding - we'll wait to see what the next instalment is."

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.

"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."

GM said in a statement: "While we have no definitive news to report at this time, we can affirm that our objective in exploring opportunities with PSA Groupe is to build on the success of Opel Vauxhall and to put the business and the operations in the strongest possible position for the future.

"We look forward to engaging with our stakeholders as part of these ongoing discussions."

Mr Clark is also seeking a meeting with PSA Group 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 its European brand, Opel, shift to the French government-backed automotive giant.

Germany has already expressed concerns about the proposed takeover, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet discussing the possible impact for German workers on Wednesday.