<p>Ford in Bridgend</p>

Part of 3. 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:18 pm on 4 October 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:18, 4 October 2017

I think it is important that all Members are kept fully abreast of developments in regard to Ford Bridgend, and I do pledge to make sure that regular updates are offered to Members and, as I said to Suzy Davies, a cross-party group may well be the most appropriate time to meet with other Members of the working group and to explore some of the opportunities as they are developed further. You are right that Ford at Bridgend has two and a half years to secure new products to manufacture at the site, and we are doing all that we can to ensure that that happens. Unite the Union, I am pleased to say, have opted for dialogue rather than for formal industrial action, and the leadership of that union are absolutely committed to ensuring that there is a long-term, sustainable future for the site and for its skilled workforce.

Many discussions have already taken place concerning the potential to attract electric drivetrains to the Bridgend plant. Those discussions will continue and, as I’ve said to Suzy Davies and to others, we are determined to take advantage of every opportunity that the new technologies that are emerging fast are able to present.