Responding to the suggestion that UK car factories switch to producing ventilators, Steve Turner, Unite the union’s assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said:

“The calls for the car industry and others to utilise excess capacity and even switch to the production of ventilators and other essential equipment for our NHS will be met positively by our members. They will be anxious to help produce what the nation needs at this unprecedented time.

“But it would help if the government worked with the unions and the industry to coordinate taking this forward.  It is more than disappointing that there has yet to be a national cross-industry summit to discuss both keeping people safe and the economy stable.  If government is to be taken seriously about stepping up to the crisis and putting the country on the footing needed, I urge ministers to call such a summit as a matter of urgency.  Unite stands ready to meet at any time.  Just pick up the phone.”