Emergency Question: Bridgend Engine Plant

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:14 pm on 15 January 2019.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:14, 15 January 2019

The Minister has given us some degree of optimism, certainly in the respect that, again, the Welsh Government is making sure that it stands by Ford Bridgend, which it has done over many, many years. As to why Ford has been a success, its two biggest strengths are (1) the Welsh Government standing with it, but paramount the skilled, committed, highly motivated workforce, which have adapted previously to challenging circumstances and to change, and they've come through in difficult times and have put this company, year after year, back on its feet and doing very well. And it's doing well at the moment, even though it has declines in some production lines.

Much of this does rely on Ford Europe and their decisions, but I think it's helpful that the Welsh Government is signalling that it is there to help in any way it possibly can. Could I ask what role, if any, there is for the UK Government as well? Because the worry would always be that we'd want the UK Government to be here, equally standing as strong as the Welsh Government is, knowing the regional importance of this not only in the constituency of Bridgend and Ogmore, but in the wider supply chain throughout south Wales and, indeed, up into the Midlands as well, and into north Wales. So, we want to know that the UK Government can also play a role and doesn't see this in any way as a threat to other parts of the UK. It is of paramount importance to the regional economy in south Wales.