Floform's directors had blamed the difficulties on cuts to the firm's order book, which they said had resulted in "significant cash-flow difficulties".

BBC: Staff at car parts firm lose jobs

Flybe claim that management will be taking the biggest hit in this round of redundancies, with 20% cuts being taken at boardroom level, and all executive directors forfeiting a month's pay.

BBC: McDonalds creates 100 new jobs as Flybe cuts staff

Cuts would be welcome, but Sir Tom, who is famous for not listening to pleas from directors for dramatic economy, has so far resisted.

ECONOMIST: Tom Stoppard: Coming ashore | The