Part of 3. 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 4 October 2017.
And the Member is absolutely right. The working group is keenly looking at opportunities that the city deal presents and that other investment structures that are part of the UK industrial strategy, for example, are also able to offer. The industry is changing rapidly and investments in future products are determined by investment cycles. New products are likely to be based on emerging technology, primarily based on hybrid engine models and electric engine models, and I’ve impressed upon Ford of Europe, at a level in Cologne, to ensure that Ford Bridgend is given every opportunity to bid for and to secure those new products. The dates will be determined by the investment cycle decisions, i.e. when current engines are being phased out and new engines are being introduced, but I’ve been asked to be kept in full contact with Ford over their investment cycles. But there are other opportunities that could be secured for the Ford site in the form of production of and finishing of engines that are currently finished elsewhere, and this is something that, again, the working group is actively pursuing.
In terms of the composition of the working group, I’ve already outlined that the membership includes the automotive forum, Welsh Government, Ford itself and Unite the Union. It will report back to me on a regular basis and I, in turn, will report back to Assembly Members. If Assembly Members would wish to meet with other members of the working group, I’m sure that a cross-party group may be the most applicable and appropriate forum in which to do so.