JAGUAR Land Rover will axe up to 4,500 jobs from its 40,000 strong UK workforce because of falling global sales and a downturn in diesel.

The layoffs would be part of a £2.5bn cost-cutting plan with management, marketing and administrative roles are expected to be hardest hit, although some production staff may also be affected.

JLR is particularly exposed to a 50% slump in its sales in China, its biggest and most profitable market. Consumers there have been holding back on big ticket purchases over concerns on global trade.

The UK carmaker is also heavily-exposed to ongoing consumer confusion over diesel engines. Around 90% of its vehicles are diesel-powered, although it has been investing in electric and hybrid.