Absolutely. I’m very grateful to the Member for recognising the importance of the working group that’s been established in true social partnership between Welsh Government, Unite the union, Ford and the Welsh Automotive Forum. It will explore all options for the facility including new technologies in electric and hybrid engines. It will report back to me on a regular basis, and I give my undertaking in turn to report back to this Chamber on a regular basis as well.

Unite have helpfully confirmed that their preference is for dialogue rather than for formal industrial action. That’s a very welcome move by the union, and I’m pleased to say as well that the First Minister has offered to act as a broker between the plant and the union. Again, this has been very well received. There is no doubt that the face of the automotive sector is changing, that new technologies present both opportunities and challenges, but, with the £100 million ready to be invested in the automotive and technology park in Ebbw Vale, there is a huge opportunity for companies like Ford to take advantage of those emerging technologies that will dictate the future of the sector.

In terms of other activities in this area, I went to Cologne to meet with Ford’s most senior officials in Europe in the summer. I was pleased by the response. Ford Europe and Ford Britain have expressed their wish to explore all options for the long-term future of the Bridgend site, and there is a real desire to reduce reliance on the traditional engines and to focus instead on the hybrid engine production and other emerging technologies. Deputy Presiding Officer, I’d like to say as well that we are calling on JLR to confirm that this move will not sacrifice jobs in Wales and displace them instead to the west midlands of England.