Motor industry leaders have accused the Government of abandoning the sector after ministers' promises of help appear to have not materialised.

Chief executive of the SMMT Paul Everitt wrote to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson on December 18 "pleading for a meeting" but has not received a reply, reports the Mail Online.

However a spokesman for the Department of Business said the Government is aware of the issues being faced by the automotive industry in the UK and globally, and a number of the issues raised by the SMMT have already been addressed.

The spokesman added Lord Mandelson was due to meet with the SMMT this year.