Melrose under fire over plans to close GKN factory in Birmingham

MPs and unions criticise proposal to move work carried out in Erdington plant to France and Poland

Poland and France will benefit from the planned closure of GKN's factory in Birmingham, with local plants taking on work currently carried out by 500 of the group's UK employees, under plans being considered by its owner, Melrose.

Melrose, a private-equity group, announced plans in January to close the factory run by its GKN subsidiary in Erdington, Birmingham, in a blow to the embattled British manufacturing sector. The plant produces drivetrain components for petrol and diesel cars.