THE Government is considering aid for Jaguar Land Rover suppliers after a cyber attack forced the car maker to halt production.
It comes after warnings from unions and politicians that some parts companies could collapse without urgent financial support.
JLR paused production at the end of August, and earlier this week extended the shutdown until October 1.
On Tuesday, ministers met firms in JLR’s supply chain to discuss pressures on their operations.
The Government is now considering buying components from JLR’s suppliers to keep them trading until production restarts.
The BBC reported Government-backed loans to suppliers are also being considered.
Unions, meanwhile, are calling for a Covid-style furlough scheme for workers at affected parts manufacturers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who in April visited the JLR factory in Solihull, West Mids, said yesterday: “As a Government, we are doing everything we can to stand by the company and the wider supply chain.”
JLR said yesterday that some of its digital systems were back online.
A spokesman said: “As part of the controlled, phased restart of our operations, we have informed colleagues, suppliers and retail partners that sections of our digital estate are now up and running.”
THRILL MITCHELL
MITCHELLS & BUTLERS, the pub and restaurant group behind Toby Carvery, Harvester and All Bar One, reported a 3.1 per cent rise in sales for the fourth quarter.
The company also said its mid-market venues performed well in the year to September 20, helping to balance weaker sales in London and at premium venues.
It expects costs to rise by £130million next year, mainly on higher wages and NI hikes.
CO-OP’S £120m HACK HIT
THE CO-OPERATIVE GROUP it is to take a £120million full-year earnings hit after a cyber attack that disrupted operations, left shelves bare, and compromised the personal data of its 6.5million members.
The retailer said April’s attack impacted sales by about £206million, which caused an £80million blow to half-year earnings.
A further £40million hit is expected in the second half.
The Co-op said the fallout saw it slump to a £75million underlying pre-tax loss for the six months to July 5.
UNLUCKY STARS
STARBUCKS is to shut down “some” of its 520 UK coffee shops after a global review.
The chain said yesterday it had launched a consultation over the proposed closure of an undisclosed number of outlets where it had not been able to “create the physical environment customers” want.
It is still on track to open 80 new sites here but will cut the number of North American coffee shops by one per cent this year.
