Jaguar Land Rover May Need More Government Aid: MP Suggests Additional Support Needed

Jaguar Land Rover May Need More Government Help, MP Says Liam Byrne, the chair of the Commons Business and Trade Select Committee, has suggested that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) may require additional government assistance beyond a 1.5 billion loan package announced earlier this month. The loan was intended to support JLR's operations during the ongoing cyber-attack, which has suspended production at its UK facilities for nearly a month. However, concerns have been raised about the potential collapse of some suppliers within a week due to the prolonged shutdown. Byrne, who represents Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North in Parliament, stated that "could well be" that further intervention is necessary. He emphasized the need for a coordinated effort between government and business to mitigate the impact of cyber-attacks on the automotive industry. "We've got to make sure this first big loan package is put to work first," Byrne said. "It could well be that there are other instruments needed, something like a Covid-style loan for example may be needed for some suppliers." The announcement of the 1.5 billion loan package was made by the government in an effort to support JLR and its vast supply chain. The move has been seen as a significant step towards stabilizing the industry, but concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of the sector. JLR's production is not expected to resume at its facilities until further notice, with the company citing the ongoing cyber-attack as the primary reason for the shutdown. In related news, the government has announced plans to increase funding for cybersecurity measures in the automotive industry. The move aims to prevent similar incidents in the future and protect against potential threats. Byrne's comments come as a warning that without a better government and business effort, cyber-attacks will become more frequent. "We need to take action now to ensure the long-term sustainability of our automotive sector," he said. The government has yet to comment on Byrne's suggestion of additional support for JLR. However, officials have confirmed that they are working closely with industry leaders to address the ongoing crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether further assistance will be required to stabilize the automotive industry. *Reporting by Bbc.*