BMW has defended planned cuts to temporary staff at Oxford’s Mini plant as it announced a fresh investment of £600 million.

The Mini plant in Oxford will be transformed to all electric car production by 2030 due to an injection of £600 million from BMW.

Despite the latest boost in funding securing over 4,000 jobs, the company defended the cuts to temporary staff which were needed as the manufacturer moves to a different shift pattern and phases out old vehicle models.

READ MORE: Staff lose their jobs at BMW Mini car plant in Oxford

Speaking at the Oxford plant yesterday about the cuts, Milan Nedeljkovic, a BMW board member, said: “We use temporary labour to fulfil flexibility needs of this plant and right now we are preparing this plant for the launch of the new generation of combustion engines which will take place in Oxford as well.”

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds told the Oxford Mail that the job losses “may sound concerning” but she understood that these were “planned cuts to temporary staff and “BMW are doing all they can to retain as many staff as possible in the business.”

A BMW spokesman said: "With its high degree of flexibility, competitiveness and expertise, the Oxford plant plays an important role in the BMW Group's production network.

"For the next Mini generation, Oxford will produce the majority of Mini models, the Mini Cooper three-door and five-door models, as well as the Mini Convertible - one of our most important vehicles and a worldwide bestseller."