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A business professor at a Birmingham university has predicted that up to 100,000 private sector workers could lose their jobs in the region if the covid-19 crisis lasts until September.

Prof Mark Hart is based at Aston University's Enterprise Research Centre and estimated that 20 per cent of the 79,000 private sector firms in the Birmingham area could fold without further Government support.

He said this could represent the loss of between 75,000 and 100,000 jobs alongside a significant reduction in the number of start-up companies launching.

The figures relate to the area covered by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership which includes Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull, Tamworth and Wyre Forest.

The area has a population of around two million people.

Prof Hart said companies could survive by rethinking their business models and moving as much of their operations as possible online.

Considering how they could respond to the coronavirus crisis was another way businesses could diversify, he said.

Prof Hart said: "I see September as the big turning point. This is a colossal threat to business. Nobody could have seen the scale of this a year ago.

"We are encouraging businesses to get through any outstanding invoices, making sure cash flow is a big priority.

"I think the furlough scheme is brilliant. Businesses need to keep on their key staff.

"The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme won't be as successful as intended. Businesses don't need debt when their future is so uncertain.

"In Birmingham, any slowing in production at Jaguar Land Rover will hit the supply chain of businesses in the region.

"If businesses can't trade past September, you could be looking at 15,800 businesses folding in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area.

"You could easily lose 75,000 to 100,000 jobs. The reason why this is happening is revenues are falling, collapsing. Orders are being cancelled.

"That's the worst case scenario. What businesses can do is think about how they can refresh their business model and go online.

"What businesses need to think about is 'what will they be remembered for during the crisis?'.

"From looking at businesses which folded during the 2007/08 crisis and in the 1990s, it's not sector specific."