F&I Management & Training

Thousands of jobs have been saved at Jaguar Land Rover's plants in the West Midlands, the company has announced.

The company announced in September 2009 that one of its factories in Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham, or in Solihull would close within 10 years.

Unite said it had reached a new pay deal with management to secure the jobs of about 7,000 workers in the Midlands.

JLR said the "landmark" deal meant jobs would stay in Solihull, Halewood on Merseyside, and Castle Bromwich.

About 2,000 are employed at Castle Bromwich and a further 5,000 work at the plant in Solihull.

JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth said recruitment was already under way to fill 1,500 new posts at Halewood to support the launch of of the Range Rover Evoque.

The deal was a "triumph for all concerned" he said, adding that the pay and conditions deal "is truly the beginning of a new era for Jaguar Land Rover".