Can I thank the Member for his questions and for the passion with which he asked them? He is wholly committed to the workforce of Ford in Bridgend, as is the local Member and others in this Chamber, and I’d like to congratulate him on seeking and securing that meeting in London, which I think, in terms of the briefing that he’s offered to me, was incredibly productive. We knew that the Bridgend plant would see the AJ engine reduce in capacity as the Wolverhampton manufacturing plant came on stream. However, I am seeking assurance that the UK Government has had no role in transferring work early to the Wolverhampton site. It’s absolutely essential that the UK Government operates in a way that benefits the whole of the UK and rebalances the UK’s economy, as outlined in the UK industrial strategy.

I can also say that my officials are currently engaged in discussions with UK Government officials and with the Automotive Investment Organisation to investigate complementary uses of the Bridgend site to secure future opportunities, including investment. This is an important development. It could also align neatly with the challenge fund, and in particular with the Faraday challenge. To that end, I was pleased, during the summer, to also meet with Richard Parry-Jones, who has a crucial role in that particular challenge, during which we discussed many opportunities that could be relevant to Ford Bridgend.