The Department for Business and Trade Engages with Jaguar Land Rover and Industry Partners
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is actively involved in discussions with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and the wider British automotive sector as JLR’s car production remains halted due to a cyber attack.
DBT representatives recently met with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Automotive Components Section to address the ongoing disruption in the UK supply chain.
With over 300,000 vehicles produced in 2024 and employing more than 30,000 individuals, JLR plays a crucial role in the UK automotive industry. The DBT is assessing the impact on the supply chain and understanding the challenges faced by JLR’s suppliers.
Many suppliers have had to close their assembly lines as they are unable to deliver products to JLR, leading to potential lay-offs. Minister for Industry Chris McDonald expressed support for JLR’s efforts and emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the issue swiftly.
Trade union Unite has called for government intervention to protect the jobs of approximately 200,000 workers in the JLR supply chain. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham urged the government to safeguard these jobs and industries vital to the economy.
Despite JLR’s planned production resumption on 24 September, Unite believes there is uncertainty surrounding this timeline. The cyber attack, attributed to the group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has raised concerns about data security and operational disruptions within JLR.
Ongoing Incident
The cyber attack on JLR, which began in late August but was publicly disclosed on 2 September, has impacted the company’s operations and supply chain. Data exfiltration during the attack has raised concerns about information security.
The attack, claimed by the hacking collective Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has led to uncertainty about the resumption of JLR’s production. The collaboration of hacking groups Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters highlights the evolving cybersecurity threats faced by the automotive industry.
