Parent firm Ford will be called to give evidence later in the month

Parent company Ford is planning to move most work from the Brown's Lane plant, with the loss of 1,000 jobs.

Jaguar said it had been forced to take decisive action because the company was making serious losses.

A union spokesman said the meeting of the Trade and Industry Select Committee on Tuesday provided an important forum to express concerns.

Tony Woodley, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "The unions have serious concerns about Ford's decision to end car production at Browns Lane and wider fears about the company's intentions for its future in the UK.

'Effective case for cuts'

"The Trade and Industry Committee will be an important forum to express our views to MPs ahead of their questioning of Ford bosses later this month."

Tony Murphy from Amicus said: "We want to make clear our opposition to Ford's move.

"This is an important forum and we want to make clear that Ford have not made an effective case for the cuts.

"The committee's interest reflects what a vital issue this is, not only for those Jaguar workers threatened with redundancy, but for the city of Coventry, the West Midlands and the future of the car industry in this country."

Plans were announced earlier this month for a march and rally in Coventry on 27 November in support of keeping car production at Browns Lane.