UPDATED: More on reaction to post-Brexit shutdown

OXFORD'S Mini plant will move its annual shutdown from August to April next year to coincide with the UK leaving the EU.

Workers will be forced to down tools for four weeks as the contingency plan takes effect.

Staff have been informed of the change this afternoon.

Every year the plant shuts down for several weeks in August but next year it will be moved due to uncertainty over what will happen after Brexit. 

The German car manufacturer has previously spoken out over concerns about custom arrangements and tariffs.

OTHER MINI NEWS

BMW boss warns over future of Cowley Plant if Brexit affects customs 

Cars parked in underpass next to factory 'accident waiting to happen' 

Twins mark 25 years of working on assembly line

A BMW Group spokesman said: "Planned annual maintenance periods at BMW Group production sites allow essential updating and equipment replacement to be completed over several weeks, while there is no production taking place.

"As a responsible organisation, we have scheduled next year’s annual maintenance period at MINI Plant Oxford to start on 1 April, when the UK exits the EU, to minimise the risk of any possible short-term parts-supply disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

"While we believe this worst case scenario is an unlikely outcome, we have to plan for it.

"We remain committed to our operations in Britain, which is the only country in the world where we manufacture for all three of our automotive brands."