Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Bridgend County Borough Council about attracting investment for Bridgend and reducing the impact on workers from any closure of the Ford engine plant.

Her Majesty’s Government is committed to working closely with the Welsh Government to consider, and where possible, mitigate the impact of Ford’s decision to close its Bridgend Engine Plant. The Welsh Government, the Wales Office, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Department for International Trade came together with the company, local leaders, unions and Bridgend County Borough Council for the first meeting of the Ford Bridgend Taskforce on 1 July.

Jointly sponsored by Welsh Government Minister for Economy and Transport Ken Skates and my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, and chaired by Professor Richard Parry-Jones, the Taskforce has been established to support Ford workers, communities and local economy following the company’s decision to close their operation in Bridgend from Autumn 2020.

Bridgend County Borough Council is expected to have a key role in the activities of this Taskforce, as part of wider joint efforts to support the workers and the wider community.