Jaguar Land Rover Workers Offered £500,000 Support as Carmaker Plans 4,000 Redundancies

Jaguar Land Rover workers taking voluntary redundancy are being offered access to a £500,000 support fund in the West Midlands, after the carmaker confirmed plans to cut around 4,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years. The package is aimed at helping affected staff find new roles and retrain as JLR presses ahead with a major restructuring.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker announced the package on 7 September. The support will help workers find new jobs and strengthen skills that can transfer to other employers.

£500,000 Fund Will Support Affected Workers

The West Midlands Combined Authority created the fund after JLR announced its redundancy plan. Parker said the £500,000 marked a starting point and that the authority could provide further help if workers need it.

The authority will work with the Department for Work and Pensions, local councils and employers. Its staff will connect workers with vacancies and offer careers guidance where needed.

The package will also fund training for workers who need new or updated skills. WMCA wants to keep advanced manufacturing and automotive skills in the West Midlands.

WMCA staff have already started coordinating the response with regional partners. Parker said DWP support could increase the package if workers need more help.

The support does not mean each worker will receive £500,000. Instead, the authority will use the fund to support JLR staff taking voluntary redundancy.

JLR Plans Around 4,000 Job Cuts

JLR confirmed plans to cut around 4,000 roles worldwide over two years. The company said the cuts will not target direct manufacturing jobs.

The carmaker plans to achieve the reductions through voluntary measures wherever possible. JLR also said the cuts will not target direct manufacturing jobs.

JLR has started consultation on the first round of reductions. The company said it will support affected staff and work with unions throughout the transition.

The reductions form part of JLR's wider plan to improve competitiveness. The company wants to deliver about £1.7 billion in savings and lower its break-even point towards 300,000 vehicles.

JLR plans to continue investing between £15 billion and £18 billion over the next five years. The spending will cover electrification, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.

PB Balaji said the industry faces rapid change, strong competition and geopolitical uncertainty. JLR also plans to launch five new products over the next 12 months as it pursues growth.

Financial Pressure Adds To Restructuring

JLR's latest quarterly results showed weaker revenue and profit. Revenue reached £6.0 billion in the three months to 30 June, down 9.6% from the same period a year earlier.

Profit before tax and exceptional items fell 68.9% to £109 million. JLR linked the weaker quarter to supply constraints and market disruption connected to conflict in the Middle East.

The company has also dealt with the effects of a cyber-attack in 2025. JLR's current strategy places greater emphasis on North America as it seeks growth and stronger resilience.

Unite Seeks More Detail on Job Losses

Unite said it understands that JLR plans to focus the cuts mainly on salaried grades. The union has asked the company for clearer information about the scope and timing of the reductions.

Unite also wants JLR and the government to explore options that could limit job losses. The union said workers should not carry the cost of problems outside their control.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham will meet JLR chief executive PB Balaji on Tuesday. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will also join the meeting, according to Unite.

For workers who choose to leave JLR, the West Midlands package offers immediate access to employment support. WMCA said it will keep working with JLR and the government as the redundancy programme develops.