CAR maker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have said it is 'approaching a critical point' over employee absences.

The manufacturer is concerned over the number of employees at its Goodwood factory forced into self-isolation due to the NHS Track and Trace app.

It is "extremely" concerned at the number of workers who are unable to work at the West Sussex manufacturing plant, and production may be halved.

While the company have said it is still running at full production over two shifts, it may have to reduce this down to one if the number of staff isolating increases further.

"We are approaching a critical point - it will be necessary to reduce our two shifts to one if number of self-isolations continue to rise, effectively halving production" said a spokesman.

The luxury car brand also said that this would be "detrimental" to its customers' expectations and its business, as every car is hand-built to customer order.

Nissan's UK plant has also been affected by the same issue as more than 700 workers at the site in Sunderland are reportedly self-isolating.

Trade union Unite have said that factories across the country are on the verge of shutting down due to these shortages of staff, urging ministers to act.

Chief executive of manufacturer's association Make UK Stephen Phipson told Sky News that there had been a steep rise in workers in the sector having to isolate which had resulted in one in five being off work.

He is urging the government to bring the August 16 change in isolation rules forward so companies do not risk going under due to lack of output.

As of August 16 the rules of self-isolation are set to change so that if you have had two vaccinations then you will not have to isolate if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid.