News by email Donate

Suggestions

Ford-main_article_image.jpg
Jacob King/PA Wire
UK News

Bridgend Ford closure: 'Pray for employment in the area'

by Eno Adeogun

The closure of the 40-year-old engine plant, which employs 1,700 staff has insisted that falling demand for petrol cars is to blame and not Brexit.

The Bishops' Adviser for Church and Society in the Church in Wales, Canon Carol Wardman told Premier the impact will be felt in the whole community.

 

Speaking during Premier's News Hour, she said: "It's a major blow. South Wales is an area that's been hugely affected by industrial decline.

"We've had British Steel originally then Tata cutting back there.

"Of course a lot of people were employed in the coal mining industry, which of course has pretty much disappeared, and now this news. So, it is a major blow for the area."

The US carmaker has been accused by the Unite union of breaking "promise after promise" to the UK.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Ford's decision to shut its Bridgend engine plant in 2020 is a grotesque act of economic betrayal.

David Jones/PA Wire

"These workers and this community have stayed faithful to Ford, as have UK customers - this is still Ford's largest European market - through thick and thin, but have been treated disgracefully in return by this company.

"Ford broke promise after promise to the UK. First, it was that it would build 500,000 engines at Bridgend. That fell to a quarter of a million, then fell again and again.

"The company has deliberately run down its UK operations so that now not a single Ford vehicle - car or van - is made in the UK."

Jacob King/PA Wire

Stephen Clark, minister at Freeschool Court Evangelical Church in Bridgend highlighted the importance of prayer during these difficult times.

He told Premier: "People may struggle with issues of dignity, they may struggle in terms of providing for their families so there's a responsibility it seems to me upon Christians to pray.

"Pray for employment in the area. Christians and the Church are commanded in the Bible to pray for the powers that be - the governing authorities.

"We need to pray for them that they may be able to create the conditions where Bridgend would be an attractive place for other businesses to invest in.

"That's the sort of intelligent praying that the Church needs to do."

Listen to Premier's Eno Adeogun speaking with Canon Carol Wardman:

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate