The Committee for Business and Trade, a group of influential MPs, is advocating for COVID-19-style financial assistance for Jaguar Land Rover in the aftermath of a cyberattack. Following a series of plant closures due to the attack, the committee has reached out to the chancellor to inquire about the support being extended to the carmaker to prevent long-term commercial damage to affected businesses.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has been forced to keep its 34,000 UK employees at home until at least next week as a result of the cyberattack. Despite the ongoing closures, workers are still receiving their pay from JLR sites in Halewood, Merseyside, and Solihull and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. However, the broader economy in the West Midlands is feeling the repercussions of the disruption.
The impact of the cyberattack has not been limited to JLR alone. Suppliers such as Evtec, WHS Plastics, SurTec, and OPmobility have had to lay off approximately 6,000 employees temporarily. The disruption is expected to continue well into September, according to a report in The Sunday Times.
In response to the escalating situation, Committee Chair Liam Byrne has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves urging for intervention comparable to the emergency measures taken to safeguard British Steel production. This proactive approach is intended to safeguard critical areas of strength within the UK’s industrial, scientific, and technological landscape.
The cyberattack on JLR has been attributed to a group of English-speaking hackers operating under the moniker Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters. This collective comprises various hacking groups, including Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters, who have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Another group known as Scattered Spider, comprised of relatively young hackers, was behind cyberattacks on major retailers such as the Co-Op, Harrods, and M&S. Following the incidents in April, four individuals were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attacks and have since been released on bail.
The situation remains fluid, with businesses across the supply chain reporting disruptions that could pose significant risks to cash flow. The Committee for Business and Trade continues to monitor the developments closely and advocate for necessary support to mitigate the impact of the cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover and its affiliated businesses.
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