Cyber attack on JLR must be ‘wake-up call for British industry’

INDUSTRY minister Chris McDonald says he is “supremely confident” that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will get through its cyber attack - but warns that it should be a wake-up call for British industry.

- SOPHIE ROBINSON News Reporter

West Midlands-based JLR, the UK’s largest carmaker, was attacked on August 31 and the company has extended its pause in production until October 1, having an impact on the companies that supply it.

During a visit on Tuesday to manufacturer Webasto, in Sutton Coldfield, which supplies parts to JLR, Mr McDonald said: “We can’t underestimate just how serious the attack is.”

He said: “The most important thing for people to remember is that JLR will get through this. I am supremely confident that JLR will get through this.

“They're a large company, they are very well supported by their parent, they've reorganised themselves internally to be able to deal with this, and they're making progress every single day.”

He added: “What I really want this to be is a wake-up call to British industry. I’m affronted by this attack on British industry. This is a serious attack on a flagship of British industry.”