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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Car industry help to be unveiled | Car industry help to be unveiled |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is to outline a package of government support for the UK car industry in a statement at 1505 GMT to the House of Lords. | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is to outline a package of government support for the UK car industry in a statement at 1505 GMT to the House of Lords. |
| Ministers have faced calls to bail-out car makers whose sales have slumped as consumer credit has dried up. | Ministers have faced calls to bail-out car makers whose sales have slumped as consumer credit has dried up. |
| Lord Mandelson is expected to unveil a scheme aimed at increasing the availability of loans to car buyers. | Lord Mandelson is expected to unveil a scheme aimed at increasing the availability of loans to car buyers. |
| Downing Street said the measures included long and short term support but were not a "bail-out". | |
| Under the government's plan, it is thought loans could be provided to the finance arms of the big car makers but critics say this will mainly benefit overseas firms, who supply 80% of Britain's cars. | |
| The measures could also include cash to train car workers, help for car parts suppliers and grants for "green" research and development. | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official spokesman denied it was a "bail-out" but said action was vital to get a sector with "a strong future" through the immediate difficulties caused by the recession and on to a sound footing. |