Jaguar Land Rover to get Government-backed £1.5bn bailout after mass cyber attack halted production
The British car manufacturer will get the loan as it continues to battle a shutdown of its operations
Jaguar Land Rover will get a £1.5billion loan underwritten by the Government as it continues to face a shutdown after a mass cyber attack.
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The British carmaker has been forced to suspend production at its UK factories for several weeks after being targeted by hackers.
The shutdown is expected to last until October 1, leaving the company's many suppliers in limbo.
The loan is coming from a commercial bank but is backed by the Government's Export Development Guarantee (EDG) and will be paid back over five years.
The bailout will help to bolster JLR's cash reserves as it pays back companies in its supply chain, who have been majorly impacted by the shutdown.
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Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "This cyber attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it.
"Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK.
"We're backing our automotive sector for the long term through our modern industrial strategy and the landmark trade deals we've signed to boost exports, as part of our Plan for Change."
The UK's largest carmaker, JLR was hit by a cyber attack on August 31.
Unions and politicians have warned since that small suppliers producing parts for the car giant could collapse without urgent financial support.
Mr Kyle this week met workers and bosses at Webasto, which makes sunroofs for JLR.
The brand has the largest supply chain in the UK automotive sector, which employs around 120,000 people and is largely made up of small and medium-sized businesses.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company which employs tens of thousands of people - a jewel in the crown of our economy.
"Today we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to £1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and protect a vital part of the British car industry."
In the aftermath of the attack, ministers have been in contact daily with JLR and cyber experts, as the company attempts to restart production.
The Conservatives had previously said they would back an emergency loan scheme, should the Government implement one.
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: "It is welcome to see that the Jaguar Land Rover supply chain - an important capability in our country that creates and supports thousands of automotive jobs - is finally being supported by the Government with loan guarantees in precisely the way we suggested.
"Ministers have got to the right place but took too long to get there. Labour must also pick up our suggestion of a cyber reinsurance scheme to protect British businesses from state-backed actors in an increasingly dangerous world.
"Britain's firms and manufacturers deserve a government that is not distracted by scandals and infighting and that understands business."
Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Olney said: "The Government and JLR must urgently clarify whether this emergency loan is going to be enough to properly protect tens of thousands of jobs and companies in the supply chain.
"This move is of course welcome - and hopefully not too late - but the Government has been too slow to act.
"The Government must be prepared to provide further support, including a furlough scheme for affected workers, if needed.
"We must also see a plan for ensuring cyber security standards are improved so that situations like this aren't repeated. Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government's feet to the fire so our car industry is protected."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham meanwhile said the loan was "an important first step and demonstrates that the Government has listened to the concerns raised in meetings with Unite over recent days".
She added: "This is exactly what the Government should be doing, taking action to protect jobs.
"The money provided must now be used to ensure job guarantees and to also protect skills and pay in JLR and its supply chain."