Ford is to close its Southampton plant at Swaythling from next year, as part of the company's "plan to achieve profitable growth in its European operations through an unprecedented focus on new products, a strong brand and increased cost efficiencies". Local MPs and unions have condemned the move. Pic: © Bill Chandler
• Ford workers celebrate bumper payoffs - but plight of contract workers overlooked - Eastleigh News
The Guardian reports: "Shop stewards representing Ford's 11,500 staff were told the news this morning by Ford's European boss, Stephen Odell, in a meeting at the company's technical centre in Basildon. But, it is understood that Ford is offering to relocate 600 staff at Dagenham, which could lower the job loss total."
Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, slammed the decision by Ford to close the Swaythling plant.
'Devastating blow to Southampton’s economy'
“This decision- apparently reached without discussion or consultation is a genuine and devastating blow to Southampton’s economy," said Whitehead. "Once we include service staff and the impact on the wider supply chain, the total job losses could be double what were announced by Ford today. But this is not just about Southampton - it is part of a wider move by Ford to quit the UK as a manufacturer.
“The City Council’s pledge to set up a taskforce to support local workers affected by the closure is a good start. But what we need above all is to know whether the Government has put forward any plan to Ford to help keep skilled manufacturing jobs in the UK. I’ll be seeking an urgent debate in Parliament on this at the earliest opportunity."
'Workers let down'
Itchen Labour MP John Denham, left, said city workers had been “let down” by the company and he called on the government to set up a taskforce to help staff in the city axed by Ford.
He said: “For years the Southampton built transit has been the workhorse of British business. White van man drives a transit. Now white van man will only be able to buy a transit from Turkey.
"The local workforce have been let down by Ford. While other companies like BMW, Nissan, Toyota and JLR have been building up vehicle assembly in Britain, Ford have taken a series of strategic decisions to move their assembly out of Britain and even out of Europe.”
Ford's Swaythling plant builds Transit vans and employs around 500 people. Built in the '30s it used to assemble Spitfires during the war, and is the last vehicle manufacturing site in the UK.