Business secretary Vince Cable has asked for a meeting with Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis to find out how he intends to turn around the retailer.

Cable wants Lewis to “outline” his plans for the business, the Sun reported.

He told the newspaper: “Tesco is one of the country’s largest employers.

“So naturally Government will take a close interest in the challenges it faces.”

The request followed last week’s profit warning from Tesco, its fourth in six months.

There are fears that Tesco will have to cut jobs as Lewis addresses the retailer’s difficulties. Tesco employs 300,000 people in the UK.

Cable said he was impressed by Lewis’s determination to take a “long-term approach” to rebuilding Tesco and its relationship with suppliers.

He said: “I look forward to meeting him to discuss his plans for the company and for rebuilding trust amongst suppliers.”