Struggling with a chronic shortage of skilled engineering workers and tradespeople, the Australian Visa Bureau has suggested that workers from Rover's Longbridge plant consider moving Down Under if – as looks likely - the car firm collapses.
"Declining birth rates and ageing populations mean a future lack of skilled employees in the market place. Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand are fighting to attract the best and brightest immigrants," said spokesperson Oonagh Baerveldt.
"MG Rover workers who are under 45 and who meet the skills requirement are in an excellent position to move to Australia."