Unions and the Government are ramping up efforts to secure thousands of British jobs after Peugeot pointed to “speedy” cost savings as part of its potential takeover of Vauxhall and Opel.

The proposed deal has prompted fears over the future of the 3,900 workers at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and Luton plants who could be vulnerable in any rationalisation programme by the new owners.

Business Secretary Greg Clark has secured a meeting with PSA Group chief executive Carlos Tavares on Friday with Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey already scheduled for talks with the car industry boss in London the same day.

The Press Association said it also understands that Unite attended another meeting on Thursday morning with unions representing General Motors’ staff at the European Works Council in Russelsheim, Germany.

It comes as Mr Tavares told analysts and reporters in Paris that the tie-up would transform the fortunes of Vauxhall and Opel by driving through “significant synergies.”

In a presentation on the firm’s annual results, Mr Tavares said: “Why do we think we can make this happen and why do we think we can bring a solution?

"Very simply, because if you look at the product plan you can see that you can, in a quite speedy way, implement significant synergies.”

Prime Minister Theresa May sought to reassure the French motor industry boss on Wednesday of the Government’s continued commitment to supporting the UK car industry, despite Britain leaving the single market as a result of Brexit.

Downing Street said that in Mrs May’s call with Mr Tavares, they had discussed their “shared desire to protect and promote” the jobs supported by the Vauxhall brand.

Vauxhall is a major employer in the UK, with around 35,000 staff, including 23,000 in its retail network and 7,000 in its supply chain.