Investigation into BMW's Sale of Rover to Commence

As the 9,000-strong workforce at the Rover plant in Longbridge, Birmingham, begins to feel the effects of the sell-off, with shifts being scaled down and pay reduced by £80 a month, the Trade and Industry Select Committee has announced an investigation into the events leading up to the sale. The inquiry aims to establish a clear record of the circumstances surrounding the sale, explore options for finding an alternative buyer for Rover, and examine the Government's role in the sell-off.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trade and Industry Select Committee will investigate the events leading up to BMW's sale of Rover, including the circumstances of the sale, options for finding an alternative buyer, and the Government's role in the sell-off.
• An estimated 9,000 workers at the Rover plant in Longbridge, Birmingham, will be affected by the sale, with shifts being scaled down and pay reduced by £80 a month.
• Union leaders have complained that the secretive sell-off of Rover could not have happened in other European countries due to stricter laws on consultation.
• The general secretary of the Manufacturing Science and Finance Union, Roger Lyons, accused the Government of being responsible for the loss of thousands of jobs due to deregulation of the Labour market.
• The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, has been criticized for his handling of the sale, with allegations that he was not informed of the truth about BMW's intentions to break up the company.
• BMW has been accused of betraying Britain and has been told to compensate the people of the Midlands who will lose their jobs.

Statistics:

• 9,000 workers employed at the Rover plant in Longbridge, Birmingham (BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour)
• £80 per month reduction in pay for workers at the Rover plant (BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour)
• £2m daily losses the BMW strategy for Rover reportedly involved (The Independent)

Sources:

• BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour
• The Independent