"JLR Orders Supply Chain Staff to Claim Universal Credit Amid Crisis"

Jaguar Land Rover's Supply Chain Workers Told to Apply for Universal Credit Amid Ongoing Cyber Attack Crisis In a shocking move, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has instructed its supply chain workers to apply for universal credit due to reduced or zero pay following a devastating cyber attack that has halted production. The union Unite is calling on the UK government to establish a furlough scheme to support affected employees, citing the significant economic impact of the crisis. According to Unite, JLR's supply chain staff are being laid off with "reduced or zero pay" following the hack, which has forced the carmaker to shut down its IT networks and halt production. The union claims that workers throughout the JLR supply chain are being affected by this decision. Unite is urging the UK government to set up a furlough scheme similar to the one announced by the Scottish government for bus maker Alexander Dennis. The cyber attack, which has been ongoing since September 5, has already had a significant impact on the industry, with factory production halted and disruption expected to last until at least September 24. The situation highlights the need for swift action to mitigate the consequences of the cyber attack and protect industry livelihoods. With 104,000 jobs reliant on JLR's supply chain, the crisis is having far-reaching economic implications. Unite has expressed concern about the impact of this decision on workers' lives, saying that "it's unacceptable that workers are being told to apply for universal credit when they have been employed by a major company like Jaguar Land Rover." The union is calling on the UK government to take immediate action to support affected employees and prevent further economic damage. JLR has declined to comment on Unite's claim, but sources close to the company suggest that disruption could be more prolonged than initially thought. The carmaker has previously stated that factory production would not resume until at least September 24, but this timeline may need to be revised in light of ongoing disruptions. The UK government has yet to respond to Unite's call for a furlough scheme, but the union is urging swift action to prevent further economic damage. As the crisis continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the impact on JLR's supply chain workers and the wider industry will be felt for some time to come. In response to the crisis, Unite's General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "The UK government must take immediate action to support these workers and prevent further economic damage. A furlough scheme is urgently needed to protect jobs and livelihoods." This story was compiled from reports by BBC Business and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.