CONFUSION today surrounded the loss of 95 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood site.

Workers claimed union officials told 55 agency staff and 40 temporary workers on Friday had their contracts were being terminated on September 16.

Plant management said no official announcement has been made, but jobs could potentially be lost over the next few weeks.

Earlier this month, bosses announced three “non-production days” on September 5, 12 and 15 and a drop in line speed to cut production levels of the Jaguar X-Type and Land Rover New Freelander models.

The credit crunch and eco-friendly measures have hit large vehicle sales.

Rumours of job losses swept the plant this week, but on Friday a spokeswoman denied any announcement was imminent.

Workers then contacted the media  on Friday afternoon to say union shop stewards had informed staff their contracts would end after September 16.

One, who asked not to be named, said: “Ninety-five staff were told they will go, 55 from the Manpower agency and 40 of 120 temporary Jaguar workers, who are on three-month rolling contracts.”

The Jaguar Land Rover spokeswoman said: “We have not officially communicated anything to our people, but potentially could see the end of some agency and temporary contracts over the next month or so.

“I cannot talk about numbers.”

She said temporary staff have only been working at the plant since this February, adding: “I do not know why union staff are going round telling people this.”

Dave Osborne, motor industry spokesman for Unite The Union, said: “We were aware they are looking at volumes, as are all companies, and Jaguar Land Rover is not immune to that.

“Unfortunately, one of the consequences is a labour adjustment and temporary workers are usually the first on the list.”

Mr Osborne said he could not explain union members’ involvement in the events at the Knowsley plant.

He added: “I can only imagine the lads are going around warning people. They will not be doing the company’s job for it.”