Unite Urges Furlough Scheme for Thousands in UK JLR Supply Chain After Cyberattack

Unite, the UK's leading automotive union, is urging the government to implement a furlough scheme for workers in Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) supply chain who have been adversely affected by a recent cyberattack. Thousands of supply chain workers are facing layoffs with reduced or no pay, and some have been advised to apply for universal credit due to lost income. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has called on ministers to emulate the Scottish government's support package for Alexander Dennis staff, emphasizing that these workers should not bear the financial burden of the cyberattack. While JLR's direct employees are reportedly safeguarded from job losses, the union stresses that small and medium-sized suppliers, key to the automotive economy, require urgent government support to preserve jobs and skills during the company's operational recovery. The union highlights the importance of a swift and decisive government response, akin to the COVID-19 furlough schemes, to protect these vulnerable workers and prevent long-term economic damage. So far, there has been no official government statement regarding such a support scheme for JLR supply chain workers.