UK Government Approves £1.5 Billion Loan Guarantee for Jaguar Land Rover Following Cyberattack

The British government has agreed to a loan guarantee worth £1.5 billion ($2 billion) to support Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in stabilising its cash reserves and supply chain, Trade Minister Peter Kyle announced on Sunday. This comes in the wake of a serious cyberattack that disrupted the automaker’s operations.

On 2 September, JLR revealed that it had been targeted by hackers, forcing a temporary suspension of production at its UK factories.

While the company announced on Thursday that its IT systems were partially restored as part of a phased restart, production will remain halted until at least 1 October.

The automaker explained that the partial restart of systems is helping to clear a backlog of payments to suppliers, following warnings from unions that some suppliers faced potential collapse due to the disruption.

The government confirmed that it would guarantee a commercial loan rather than lending money directly to JLR, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors.

• A government-backed credit agency will provide the guarantee.
• The commercial bank will issue the loan, which will be repaid over five years.
• The guarantee is expected to unlock up to £1.5 billion, giving certainty to JLR’s supply chain.

Peter Kyle, Trade Minister, stated:"This guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK. This cyberattack 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."

Cyber gangs have increasingly targeted luxury brands and retailers, including UK names such as Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and the Co-op food chain. The attack on JLR highlights the vulnerability of critical manufacturing sectors to digital threats and underscores the importance of government intervention in maintaining economic stability and jobs.

The loan guarantee is designed to ensure that JLR can continue operations, protect its supply chain, and safeguard thousands of skilled jobs across the UK, while the company works to fully restore its systems.