Labour Urged to Act as JLR Cyber-Attack Leaves Thousands of Supply Chain Workers at Risk

Labour Must Step Up to Help JLR Supply Chain Jobs, Says Unite A union has called on the Labour Party to take action to support workers from supply-chain firms affected by Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) cyber-attack-induced shutdown. The car-maker's production lines have been idle for over two weeks, raising concerns that thousands of people could be laid off if there is no positive news from JLR. According to Jason Richards, Unite's regional officer for the West Midlands, "thousands or tens of thousands" of jobs are at risk due to the shutdown. The union has urged Labour to step up and provide support to workers in affected supply-chain firms. Richards stated, "We need the Labour Party to step up and help these workers who are being left high and dry by JLR's failure to get its production lines back up and running." JLR has plants in Wolverhampton, Solihull, and Merseyside, and its shutdown is having a ripple effect on the region. Minister for Industry Chris McDonald acknowledged that JLR was taking the lead on supporting its supply chain but emphasized that cyber experts were working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The shutdown has been ongoing since early March, with no clear timeline for when production will resume. The lack of progress has sparked concerns about the long-term viability of some companies reliant on JLR's business. Richards warned that without support, these firms could go bust, leaving thousands of workers without jobs. In a meeting with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, McDonald discussed the impact of the shutdown on the region and agreed to keep in close touch while JLR works to resolve the issue. The Labour Party has yet to comment on Unite's call for action. The cyber-attack that led to the shutdown is believed to have been carried out by a group known as the "Maze" gang, which has demanded a ransom from JLR. The company has refused to pay the ransom and is working with law enforcement agencies to resolve the issue. As the situation continues to unfold, Unite's call for Labour to step up and provide support to affected workers highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on the supply chain. With thousands of jobs at risk, the clock is ticking for JLR and its suppliers to find a solution. Background: Jaguar Land Rover is one of the UK's largest car manufacturers, with a significant presence in the West Midlands. The company's shutdown has had a ripple effect on the region, with concerns growing about the long-term viability of some companies reliant on JLR's business. Additional Perspectives: "The Labour Party must take action to support workers from supply-chain firms affected by JLR's shutdown," said Richards. "We need urgent support to mitigate the impact on these workers and their families." McDonald emphasized that JLR was taking the lead on supporting its supply chain, but acknowledged that cyber experts were working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Current Status: The shutdown continues with no clear timeline for when production will resume. Unite's call for Labour to step up and provide support to affected workers highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on the supply chain. *Reporting by Bbc.*