Lord Bhattacharyya calls on Government to end agony for 16,000 Jaguar Land Rover workers

Dec 19 2008 by Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

TOP UK car industry expert Lord Bhattacharyya today called on the Government to end the agony for 16,000 Jaguar Land Rover workers – with a£1 billion emergency loan package.

Lord Bhattacharyya, one of the most influential figures in British manufacturing, threw down the gauntlet to Gordon Brown and his Cabinet as speculation over the future of the Tata-owned firm reached fever pitch.

The West Midland-based industry peer, head of Warwick Manufacturing Group, stepped into the controversy to call for the Government to follow the example of European political leaders and approve a package to help the iconic car giant survive the worst sales climate for decades.

As 850 agency staff at Jaguar Land Rover prepared to leave today ahead of a prolonged three-week production shutdown over Christmas and New Year, Lord Bhattacharyya said government action was vital.

“A total of 16,000 people are dependent on Jaguar Land Rover. It is important that JLR not only survives but that they keep the people on. They are essential for the country,” he said.

“Every other car company in Europe is getting funding – I do not see why Jaguar Land Rover should not get it.

“Look at Sweden with Volvo and Saab; in France Sarkosy has announced two tranches of funding; 23 billion euros for French manufacturing and seven billion euros for the car industry.

“The Spanish have done it, the Germans will get money and the Chinese Government have pumped money into their car companies.”

Lord Bhattacharyya denied that JLR was seeking