JLR cyberattack: supply chain workers told to apply for universal credit says union
Production across all Jaguar Land Rover factories has been paused
Last updated 17th Sep 2025
A union says workers throughout the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) supply chain are being advised to sign up for universal credit following a cyber attack on the company.
Unite said supply chain workers are being laid off, with reduced or zero pay.
JLR said on Tuesday (16 September) that it was pausing production across all its factories until at least Wednesday 24 September, while it continued to deal with the fallout of the cyber attack.
Unite also said thousands of workers in the JLR supply chain must receive a furlough scheme similar to that announced this week to support staff at bus maker Alexander Dennis.
On Monday, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney MSP, announced that the Scottish government will establish a furlough scheme to support the retention of all jobs at bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis.
Unite said they have written to the UK government calling for a similar scheme to be introduced for the JLR supply chain.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers in the JLR supply chain must not be made to pay the price for the cyberattack.
“It is the government’s responsibility to protect jobs and industries that are a vital part of the economy. Ministers should take the lead from the Scottish government’s support package for Alexander Dennis staff and implement a similar scheme for workers in the JLR supply chain now.”
JLR haven't commented on the claims by Unite.
In a statement yesterday (September 16) a spokesperson for JLR said:
"Today we have informed colleagues, suppliers and partners that we have extended the current pause in our production until Wednesday 24th September 2025.
"We have taken this decision as our forensic investigation of the cyber incident continues, and as we consider the different stages of the controlled restart of our global operations, which will take time.
"We are very sorry for the continued disruption this incident is causing and we will continue to update as the investigation progresses.”
The government has been approached for comment.