Archive · 21 Sep 2026
JLR suppliers urge shift from cars to aerospace, defence
Some companies that make parts for cars are worried that fewer cars will be made in the United Kingdom.
They say this could put many jobs at risk.
Jaguar Land Rover has already announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs.
The companies believe their factories and workers could also make products for airplanes and defence businesses.
They are asking the government to help them make this change.
They want cheaper energy and support to win new contracts.
They also want a special programme for businesses in the West Midlands.
The government says it already has some support available for electric-vehicle production and energy costs.
Major Jaguar Land Rover suppliers are asking the UK government to help automotive firms move into aerospace and defence.
The appeal follows Jaguar Land Rover’s planned 4,000 job cuts, described as an early warning for a supply chain supporting about 183,000 manufacturing jobs.
The suppliers want lower industrial energy costs, help qualifying for aerospace and defence contracts, and a dedicated West Midlands transition programme.
Signatories say automotive factories, workers and expertise could be redirected rather than allowing a predicted decade of declining UK car production.
The Treasury highlighted existing measures, including the £2.5 billion DRIVE35 electric-vehicle programme and planned reductions in industrial electricity costs.
- Who
- Major Jaguar Land Rover suppliers, the Confederation of British Metal Forming and the UK government are involved.
- What
- Suppliers are asking for help to shift automotive manufacturing skills, factories and investment into aerospace and defence.
- When
- The appeal follows Jaguar Land Rover’s announcement of 4,000 job cuts nearly a fortnight earlier; the letter was reported after that announcement.
- Where
- The proposed transition would focus on the United Kingdom, particularly the West Midlands.
- Why
- Suppliers say large-scale UK car production faces long-term decline and that support is needed to protect jobs and help firms enter new markets.
Suppliers’ transition proposal
Government’s existing-support response
How to respond to automotive uncertainty
Suppliers’ transition proposal
Suppliers say the UK automotive industry is not necessarily in decline but is operating in the wrong market, and should redirect capabilities into aerospace and defence.
Government’s existing-support response
The Treasury acknowledges uncertainty facing workers and points to existing support for electric-vehicle production and planned industrial electricity-cost reductions.
What support is needed
Suppliers’ transition proposal
Suppliers want lower industrial energy costs, help qualifying for aerospace and defence contracts, and a dedicated West Midlands programme.
Government’s existing-support response
The government’s cited measures include the £2.5 billion DRIVE35 programme and engagement by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds with Jaguar Land Rover and trade unions.
- Jaguar Land Rover job cuts
- 4,000 planned reductions
- Supply-chain employment
- About 183,000 manufacturing jobs
- Letter signatories
- Firms representing more than 8,600 direct employees, alongside the Confederation of British Metal Forming
- Confederation representation
- About 75,000 workers
- Suppliers’ requests
- Lower energy costs, contract support and a West Midlands transition programme
- Existing government support
- £2.5 billion DRIVE35 programme for electric-vehicle production
- Chinese-owned brands
- About 15% of UK new-car registrations in 2025 and 2026, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders