Emergency Question: Bridgend Engine Plant

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:15 pm on 15 January 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:15, 15 January 2019

Well, can I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for his question? There are, of course, a number of areas that the UK Government could be of great assistance in right now. First of all, Brexit is a factor that needs to be considered. Because of sterling weakness, there's been impact to the tune of £600 million on Ford UK's turnover. That, in turn, of course, has affected profitability. Secondly, there is a role that the UK Government can play in ensuring that Ineos decides to invest in the UK rather than continental Europe, thereby providing a huge number of highly paid jobs for well-skilled people. And thirdly, there is a role for the UK Government, and in particular the UK industrial strategy, in promoting opportunities for Welsh research institutions and, crucially, Welsh businesses to take full advantage of some of the grand challenges. I'm thinking, in particular, of the Faraday challenge. I know that the Member has shown a great interest in the potential production of batteries for vehicles at the Ford Bridgend site. At the moment, what is quite clear from industry is that the production of batteries within the UK for the automotive sector could only take place if there is collaboration between manufacturers and with a significant degree of assistance from UK Government. I know that this is an area of work that the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, is very interested in and very committed to, and my call on UK Government would be to engage as much as possible for Welsh companies and Welsh research institutions to make sure that we get maximum benefit from the Faraday challenge and the industrial strategy as a whole.