Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed it will cut 4,500 jobs globally, as part of its 'Charge and Accelerate' programme.

The company aims to achieve £2.5bn in cost reductions and cashflow improvements over 18 months as well as long-term strategic operating efficiencies.

The savings and improvements achieved will enable Jaguar Land Rover to fund vital investments into technology to safeguard its future.

Most of the job cuts are expected to come from office-based roles, as the firm aims to simplify its management structure. It will shortly launch a voluntary redundancy scheme.

The car maker currently employs 44,000 people in the UK.

In April last year it cut 1,000 temporary contract workers at its plant in Solihull.

"We are taking decisive action to help deliver long-term growth, in the face of multiple geopolitical and regulatory disruptions as well as technology challenges facing the automotive industry. The ‘Charge and Accelerate’ programme combines efficiency measures with targeted investment, safeguarding our future and ensuring that we maximise the opportunities created by growing demand for Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared technologies," said Dr Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover.

The firm posted a £90m loss in October.

The company has reportedly been hit by poor sales in China and the drop in demand for diesel cars.

In November 2018, JLR sales in China were down 50.7% when compared to the previous year as market conditions remained difficult with continuing consumer uncertainty following tariff changes and trade concerns.

UK sales of Jaguars were up 4.15% in 2018, while Land Rover sales fell by 5.74% according to the SMMT.