Jaguar Land Rover plant moves to 24-hour production

A Jaguar Land Rover plant has moved to 24-hour production with the introduction of an extra shift.

The car-maker has created another 1,000 jobs at its site in Halewood, Merseyside, so it can meet demand for its Evoque and Freelander models.

Staff will work to a three-shift pattern, with the first night shift starting on Monday.

The new jobs take the site's workforce to 4,500 - three times the number working there three years ago.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unveiled plans to increase its workforce in March.

Human resources director Des Thurlby said: "These 1,000 new jobs are further evidence of JLR's clear ambition for continued growth. We are moving Halewood to three shifts and 24-hour operation to meet increased global demand for our products.

"JLR's supply chain is also set to benefit, with thousands more jobs expected to be created. Our commitment to expand the Halewood workforce and increase production is great news for JLR, for Merseyside and for the wider UK economy."

When the move was first announced, Business Secretary Vince Cable said it was "further evidence of the strength of the UK automotive sector".

The car-maker, owned by Indian company Tata Motors, is on course for record profits of about £1.5 billion this year, boosted by strong demand in emerging markets such as China.

PA