In November, Nissan said it needed to create “a leaner, more resilient business” with plans to reduce production by 20%.

It has also been lobbying ministers to change regulations, which mean at least 22% of new vehicles sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, rising to 80% by 2030.

Reeves told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, external she did not want to make it “harder” to build cars in the UK.

“We inherited those targets from the previous government,” she said.

“We have launched that review to make sure that it is fair, particularly fair for British car manufacturers including Nissan.”

Michael Mordey, the Labour leader of Sunderland City Council, described Nissan as “a driver for the economy”.

“The Sunderland plant is one of Nisssan’s most productive, so I am confident that the support will be there,” he said.