Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has scheduled meetings with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) executives and the Unite union to address a planned voluntary redundancy program at the automotive manufacturer. While the company has not disclosed the exact number of staff affected, reports suggest as many as 4,000 positions could be at risk, primarily impacting salaried and management roles.
JLR stated that the initiative is intended to simplify operations and improve business efficiency. A spokesperson for the company noted that while voluntary redundancies are the current focus, compulsory layoffs have not been ruled out. The move follows a period of financial strain for the manufacturer, which is still navigating the aftermath of a major cyber attack in September 2025 that halted production for several weeks and resulted in an estimated £1.9bn loss.
Addressing the situation, Reynolds confirmed he would discuss strategies to mitigate job losses but explicitly ruled out a government bailout. He emphasized that the government remains open to supporting long-term investments in the company’s future rather than providing short-term financial rescue packages. The Business Secretary also noted that the government is reviewing electric vehicle sales targets to provide the industry with more flexibility in response to current consumer demand.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the situation as part of a broader, long-standing crisis within the automotive sector, stating that the union has been engaged in intensive discussions to protect workers. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have criticized the government's economic strategy, labeling the potential job losses as a failure of the current growth mission.
JLR, a major employer in the West Midlands, currently maintains a UK workforce of approximately 30,000 people. The company previously announced plans in June to reduce costs by £1.7bn to aid its recovery efforts.
Source: BBC News
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