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Somerset is poised to become the location for a multibillion pound electric car battery plant that could create thousands of jobs, according to reports.

Tata Group, which owns the carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, is preparing to sign a deal that would mean the new factory would be based in the UK rather than Spain, the BBC reported.

The deal would mark an important milestone for Britain in terms of innovation and investment in the automotive sector.

According to the BBC report, the chair of Tata will meet Rishi Sunak in the middle of next week.

It added that sources familiar with the matter said a deal has not yet been signed but engagement had taken a step forward, with negotiations moving on to the drafting of an agreement.

The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, last week hinted the deal could be imminent, saying: “All I would say is watch this space because we are very focused on making sure the UK gets that EV [electric vehicle] manufacturing capacity.”

A new Bridgwater-based plant could create up to 9,000 jobs.

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