The UK's automotive sector is facing a crisis after a cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) caused factory shutdowns and significant economic disruption, prompting calls for urgent government support.

Unite, the UK's automotive workers' union, is advocating for a Covid-style furlough scheme to support affected workers, citing the severe impact on employment and the need for government intervention.

An influential UK parliamentary committee has also urged the chancellor to provide financial support similar to pandemic-era measures, highlighting the crisis's seriousness.

The cyberattack, attributed to the hacker group 'Scattered Spider,' has led to the shutdown of JLR's manufacturing sites since early September, affecting around 34,000 UK workers and disrupting global supply chains.

The attack has caused a halt in production, with estimates of daily costs between £5 million and £10 million, potentially leading to total losses of up to £130 million, and has impacted at least 100,000 jobs across JLR's supply chain.

Suppliers such as Evtec, WHS Plastics, SurTec, and OPmobility have laid off approximately 6,000 staff, exposing the vulnerability of small and medium-sized enterprises in the automotive supply network.

Public and industry reactions are mixed, with many calling for government support, though some remain skeptical about using taxpayer funds for industry-specific crises.

The incident has underscored the need for increased investment in cybersecurity and better industry resilience to digital threats, as the attack has exposed the fragility of the UK automotive supply chain.

The financial impact is severe, with daily costs estimated between £5 million and £10 million, risking total losses of around £65-130 million, and highlighting the broader economic implications for the industry.

Authorities have arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in similar cyberattacks on other UK retailers, indicating a broader pattern of cyber threats targeting British businesses.

The UK government has yet to respond formally to the crisis, raising concerns about the lack of immediate support measures for affected workers and industries.

JLR has confirmed that some data was compromised in the attack and is working with cybersecurity specialists to safely resume operations, apologizing for the disruption.

Experts emphasize that strengthening cybersecurity and integrating it into industrial strategies are crucial for future resilience, alongside economic recovery efforts.