AN urgent call for Jaguar Land Rover to ensure jobs in car component factories in Llanelli are saved as part of a £1.5 billion Government rescue deal, has been made by local MP Dame Nia Griffith.
JLR suspended production at its UK factories following a massive cyber attack on August 31,
The JLR shutdown is expected to last until October 1, leaving suppliers locally and nationally in limbo.
A Labour Government backed loan is expected to give suppliers some certainty amid the continued shutdown.
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said: ‘The situation was perilous and there was concern for jobs at a number of companies.
‘The loan will bolster JLR’s cash reserves enabling it to pay back companies in its supply chain.
‘I urge JLR to ensure it gives the maximum support to the firms in my constituency who have been involved in supplying them for some years.
‘Speed is of the essence to ensure local companies benefit from the rescue deal announced by the Government and to help their loyal workforce.
‘That is the aim of the Labour Government – to ensure jobs and the car production industry thrives despite this cyber attack.’
She added: ‘I very much welcome this support put in by the UK Labour Government, but now we need JLR both to implement it in a timely fashion in order to safeguard jobs in our local plants, and to get the replacement IT systems up and running to enable the necessary deliveries and pick-ups.’
Business Secretary Peter Kyle announced on Sunday that the Government had agreed to support JLR with a guarantee expected to unlock up to £1.5 billion to give certainty to JLR’s supply chain.
The loan from a commercial bank, backed by the Export Development Guarantee, will be paid back over five years.
JLR’s supply chain, which includes companies with factories in the Llanelli area, is understood to have been greatly affected by the shutdown.
Mr Kyle said: ‘This cyber attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it.’Following our decisive action, the loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK.
‘We’re backing our automotive sector for the long term through our modern Industrial Strategy and the landmark trade edeals we’ve signed to boost exports, as part of our Plan for Change,’
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: ‘Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company which employs tens of thousands of people – a jewel in the crown of our economy.
‘Today we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to £1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and protect a vital part of the British car industry.’
And what is she DOING about it,??