Some 16,000 jobs could be put at risk when Japanese car firm Honda announces the closure of its factory in Swindon today.
The expected announcement will hit 3,500 people employed at the Wiltshire plant as well as another 12,500 whose jobs depend on the Honda supply chain.
Jobs could also be at risk in companies who depend on the Swindon workforce for their business, as Honda was urged to rethink the 'devastating' decision.
It is the latest blow to Britain's car industry after Nissan announced it would no longer build the X-Trail at its Sunderland plant and Land Rover said it would cut 4,500 British jobs.
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The entrance to the Honda car plant in Swindon is pictured yesterday, as the Japanese car maker prepares to announce the factory's closure
Swindon's Tory MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland said they were 'disappointed and surprised' by the news that the plant would close in 2022.
Trade union Unite blamed the potential job losses on Theresa May's 'rigid approach' to negotiations with EU, claiming the threat of no deal had led to 'chaotic Brexit uncertainty'.
The plant is among the biggest employers in Swindon, which voted Leave at the 2016 referendum, and is currently the firm's only factory inside the EU.
Speaking to ITN, Mr Buckland later urged the manufacturer to reconsider, saying: 'Honda hasn't yet made its public announcement.
'I've already said that I think they should think again and I certainly would be ready to talk to them and anybody who cares to listen to make the case for Swindon as a strong centre for manufacturing.'
Workers leave the Honda factory in Swindon yesterday with 3,500 jobs at risk at the plant and another 12,500 in danger in the supply chain
A lorry with a car carrier trailer leaves the Honda car plant in Swindon on Monday. The town's Conservative MPs said they were 'disappointed and surprised' by the planned closure
Bosses at Honda, Britain's fifth largest car producer, recently declared that the UK crashing out without a deal would cost them 'tens of millions of pounds'.
However just six months ago the firm had also insisted it was 'right behind' the Swindon plant and would not move it out of the UK.
Ford bosses have also warned a no-deal Brexit would be 'catastrophic' and would cost them 1,000 jobs - mainly at its Bridgend plant in Wales.
Des Quinn, Unite national officer for the automotive sector said: 'If these reports are confirmed, this would be a shattering body blow at the heart of UK manufacturing.
'The car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing sector - and now it has been brought low by the chaotic Brexit uncertainty created by the rigid approach adopted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
'We are seeking urgent clarification from Honda on the implications of these serious reports.'
One worker, who has been at the plant for 24 years, said he blamed the closure on Brexit.
The Remain voter said: 'Perfectly viable car plant operating for 30 years, no problem at all - as soon as Brexit comes along the plant needs investment.
'People like Justin Tomlinson, our MP, campaigned for this Brexit. He wanted Brexit - he gets to carry the can. If he's not unseated by a massive majority at the next election then this town gets what it deserves.'
Asked how he felt about the news, the man replied: 'Pretty hacked off, to be fair.'
Another man leaving the site said staff had not been warned about the announcement.
He said: 'Devastated. That's all I can say.'
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it is a 'huge blow' to workers and the wider community, adding: 'The Government's disastrous handling of Brexit is letting people down across the country.'
But Swindon's Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson insisted the decision was not down to Britain's departure from the EU.
The North Swindon MP said: 'Honda's decision to close its Swindon plant by 2022 is 'based on global trends and not Brexit'.
The Swindon Honda plant produces around 160,000 Civics, 90 per cent of which are exported to Europe and the US.
It has been running for more than 30 years and has been described as 'integral' to the local economy.
South Swindon Labour tweeted: 'Terrible news for the town and the Honda workforce. Justin Tomlinson and other Brexiteers should hang their hands in shame. #brexitshambles'
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson tweeted: 'This is a huge blow to our area and to the UK. Many people work at Honda and live in Gloucestershire. When are the Brexiteers going to wake up to the reality they have created for the country? #Honda'
The Honda plant in Swindon, Wiltshire is pictured in a file photo from 1998
Workers are pictured here inside the Honda manufacturing plant in Swindon, Wiltshire
Local people reacted to the speculation today - included one worker who said he only found out on the news.
Dave Shep wrote on Facebook: 'First I've heard and I've worked there for 19 years.
'Announced on national news channels before loyal employees told SHOCKING, SHAME ON YOU HONDA.'
Dave Durston wrote: 'Oh dear!! If This is true it will be devastating to Swindon employment, it's not just the 3500 that work for Honda, there's at least double that amount that work for subsidiary companies that supply part and materials! However, rumours are just that till confirmed.'
Airbus boss warns a no deal Brexit would be 'catastrophic'
A senior Airbus executive warned a no deal Brexit would be 'absolutely catastrophic' on Sunday.
Katherine Bennett said the aerospace giant had already been forced to spend 'tens of millions of euros' preparing for the prospect of no deal.
The money has been spent building vast stockpiles of parts at Airbus' UK wing factories - and could have been better spent on apprenticeships, Ms Bennett said.
Airbus chief Katherine Bennett (pictured)
The firm's senior vice president for the UK business said there no such thing as a 'managed no deal' as she urged politicians to strike an exit deal with the EU.
Airbus caused fury among Brexiteers by warning it could abandon the UK altogether if there is a no deal Brexit.
Ms Bennett told the BBC's Andrew Marr: 'There is no such thing as a managed 'no deal', it's absolutely catastrophic for us.
'Some difficult decisions will have to made if there's no-deal (...) we will have to look at future investments.'
She said they currently have a backlog of 9,000 aircraft to produce, providing plenty of work for UK employees for now, but added: 'There will be decisions coming down the line in the next few years where my company will have to look seriously at investments.'
Airbus employs 14,000 people at 25 sites across the country - including Bristol, Portsmouth and north Wales.
However, the impact could go wider with an estimated 110,000 jobs at risk in companies supplying the European aircraft maker.
Jay Carroll wrote: 'Welcome to Brexit Britain. As a Remainer I take no pleasure whatsoever in being proved right.'
Another said: 'This is bloody awful! I hope the Govt wakes up - puts the national interest above ideology and does everything it can to avoid a no-deal Brexit.'
Ian Howells, senior vice president for Honda Europe, said in September that the firm was 'right behind' its employees in Swindon.
He added: 'The UK forms part of our global network of manufacturing plants, it's not just for the European market.
'The only place we produce the vehicle we produce at Swindon is in Swindon itself. So from that point of view it's a very big decision to take a different approach.
'Certainly we are right behind our Swindon approach, and really it hasn't come up that we would have to look at putting Swindon somewhere else.
'The logistics of moving a factory the size of Swindon would be huge, and as far as we're concerned from a European (perspective), and as far as our Japanese head office is concerned, we're right behind supporting continued production at Swindon and indeed our whole European operation to continue there.
'In terms of the impact of Brexit, I think we are looking at hopefully relatively short-term disruption as we get used to the new rules and new ways of doing business.'
A spokesman for Honda was not immediately available to comment on the closure of the Swindon plant.
The manufacturer is believed to be maintaining its European headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire, and its Formula One operation in the UK.
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said: 'This is devastating news for the thousands of people employed at Honda's plant in Swindon, and a further hammer blow to Britain's reputation as a hub for global business.
'Brexit may or may not be officially blamed, and we accept that other issues in the global economy are also a factor.
'Brexit uncertainty is weighing on the company, as is the inability of the UK Government to guarantee access to the recent EU-Japan trade deal.
'We can still step back from the cliff edge and avoid economic disaster, by giving the public the final say on Brexit with the option to stay in the EU.'
The news is yet another hit for manufacturers in Britain.
Last week, Airbus announced it was scrapping the world's largest commercial jet, putting up to 3,500 jobs at risk over the next three years.
About 200 people face job uncertainty in Britain, with thousands more across the world as the aircraft is phased out by 2021.
The move comes just 12 years after the double-decker superjet first took to the skies as the UK's challenger to US company Boeing.
The A380 model has never turned a profit and sales have slowed dramatically as airlines favour smaller, more nimble aircraft - and Boeing's 787 Dreamliner enjoyed greater success.
Critics of the A380 argue the double-deckers are too large, leaving airlines with an impossible task of filling seats for commercial flights.
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News Photo Fears for up to 16,000 jobs supplying Honda plant in Swindon
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