Last night Cllr Bradley said: “The Jaguar-Land Rover and Vauxhall plants provide top quality employment for many thousands of local people and their future is crucial for the local economy.

“They are models of quality and efficiency, and have a highly skilled workforce.

“The global credit crunch is a challenge for every motor manufacturer, and it is crucial that the council works with its partners to help and support them through this extremely challenging period to ensure their continued success.”

Cllr Anderson said he had raised the issue with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson when the Cabinet visited Liverpool last week.

He said: “The fact of the matter is that with the ancillary businesses attached to these two companies they are crucial to the Merseyside economy.

“It seems eminently sensible to be supporting Jaguar Land Rover.

“I urge the Government to act quickly to help Jaguar Land Rover so that it can prepare for the future.

“I don’t see any reason why we cannot do it, it makes financial sense. It would be an injection of confidence in this sector in this difficult time.”