Government help needed to avoid Ford crash

6.00.00am GMT Tue 13th Jan 2009

Sandra Gidley MP

Commenting on the announcement by Ford bosses this morning (Tuesday 13 January) that the city's Swaythling plant will have its production cut to one shift per day, amounting to a reduction in workers' pay of over 15%, City MP, Sandra Gidley said:

"This is a further blow both to the plant and to local workers. Unfortunately though, this is not a surprise, as the government has not yet provided the support that Ford bosses and I have been calling for.

"Whilst I welcome the news that no jobs will be sacrificed within the first quarter, and I commend Ford's unwavering commitment to production in Southampton, this constant slide from one desperate measure to the next cannot continue forever."

Sandra has written to Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to press for emergency aid and recently held a debate in parliament on supporting the British car industry.

"Manufacturers' finance companies need to gain short term access to the Bank of England's special liquidity schemes, loan guarantees or direct loans now," added Sandra.

"The entire British motor industry has hit the skids. Unless the government helps Ford and many others soon, then I fear that we will be unable to avoid a crash."