A group of MPs from the West Midlands have called on the government for help after a significant cyber attack halted JLR production
11:57, 21 Sep 2025Updated 16:58, 21 Sep 2025
A group of MPs have called for urgent action for the government after a cyber attack hit JLR
Conservative MPs from the West Midlands have called for urgent government action after a cyber attack hit Jaguar Land Rover.
The motor company, which has factories in Wolverhampton and Solihull, was targeted by a significant cyber attack on September 1, suspending production as a result.
The shutdown of production at JLR is expected to last until at least September 24, raising concerns about how this could affect the local economy.
READ MORE: JLR ‘extraordinary meeting’ held amid job loss fears after cyber attack
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The vehicle manufacturer employs 36,000 itself but also has a vast supply chain comprising of more than 100,000 jobs, including suppliers in Birmingham that employ hundreds of people.
In a joint-letter issued by six MPs from the West Midlands, they warn a prolonged halt of production poses a serious threat to the region’s economy and the UK’s broader automotive sector.
The MPs highlight that many suppliers are facing severe liquidity issues and are being forced to consider layoffs.
They’ve call on the Department for Business and Trade to urgently use their convening power with HM Treasury and UK banks to provide short-term, fully repayable loans to stabilise affected suppliers.
They are also demanding that insurers expedite any claims related to the cyber incident without delay.
The MPs expressed disappointment with a statement issued by the Labour-run Government on September 19, criticising its lack of concrete measures to support the supply chain.
“Words are cold comfort,” the letter states.
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“Without immediate action and focused support, the damage to the UK’s automotive sector and manufacturing base could be deep and irreversible.”
The letter has been addressed to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP.
It has been signed by six Conservative MPS from the region: Saqib Bhatti (Meriden and Solihull East), Sir Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield), Sir Gavin Williamson (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge), Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills), Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst (Solihull West and Shirley) and Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire).
The group urged the Secretary of State to confirm whether the government has any plans to support the automotive supply chain through this unique and exceptional situation, adding: “Jaguar Land Rover is part of the fabric of the West Midlands.
“In situations such as these, not doing anything is an active decision too and it will have huge implications.”