Jaguar Land Rover issues grim manufacturing update in major blow to staff

Staff at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will be out of work for the rest of the month with the company extending its shutdown until October 1. JLR was expected to restart production on Wednesday, September 24, but has extended the closure in a blow to staff.

Unions have now left calling for a furlough scheme for those working in the JLR supply chain who have also been affected by the closures. A cyber attack at the end of August has massively affected the brand with workers unable to produce vehicles at factories across the UK. Production has also stopped at JLR bases in other markets, including Slovakia, Brazil and India in a blow to the Range Rover manufacturer.

A statement from JLR stressed the delay was for the need to allow a “phased restart of operations” as investigations into the cyber hack continue.

JLR told Express.co.uk: “Today we have informed colleagues, suppliers and partners that we have extended the current pause in production until Wednesday 1 October 2025, following the cyber incident. We have made this decision to give clarity for the coming week as we build the timeline for the phased restart of our operations and continue our investigation.

“Our teams continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the NCSC and law enforcement to ensure we restart in a safe and secure manner. Our focus remains on supporting our customers, suppliers, colleagues, and our retailers, who remain open. We fully recognise this is a difficult time and we thank everyone for their continued support and patience.”

Experts have previously predicted that the pause in production may have dented JLR profits by as much as £120m.

David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics at the University of Birmingham, stressed revenue was likely down a staggering £1.7billion. Government ministers are now set to step into action after concerns that companies further up the supply chain may need extra support.

Chris McDonald, Labour’s industry minister said: “We have two priorities: helping Jaguar Land Rover get back up and running as soon as possible and the long-term health of the supply chain.

“The business secretary and I are visiting JLR today to host companies in the supply chain, to listen to workers and hear how we can support them and help get production back online.

“We are acutely aware of the difficulties the stoppage is causing for those suppliers and their staff, many of whom are already taking a financial hit through no fault of their own – and we will do everything we can to reassure them that the government is on their side.”