THE Government has announced a £43 million grant package to ensure that Ford builds the so-called 'baby Jaguar', the X400, at Halewood when production of the Escort ends in 2000.

The grant will lead to a quadrupling of Jaguar's production in Britain. It will also secure the future of 1,800 workers at the Merseyside plant and create new jobs. Ford confirmed at the Detroit Motor Show last month that the X400 compact executive car would be built at Halewood.

The outcome had been dependent upon the Government's financial help. Ford has also announced that it is to invest £36 million at its Southampton plant and £22 million at its Swansea components factory.