David Cameron visited the famous Dagenham Ford motor plant today to announce a £9million funding grant for work on a new diesel engine.
The Prime Minister was joined by business secretary Vince Cable, and was shown around the historic plant, which will receive £8.9million from the government’s Regional Growth Fund.
The money will add to an extra £190million invested by Ford into the Dagenham plant for production of its 2.0 litre diesel engine for cars and commercial vehicles.
This money will fund phase two of Ford’s investment in the project, following an initial £287million for phase one, and will provide 318 new jobs from 2017.
Mr Cameron said: “I welcome Ford’s commitment to Dagenham and the UK, which is a vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan to back business, create more jobs and secure a brighter future for Britain.”
He said the funding would “create more jobs that mean financial security and economic peace of mind for more hardworking families”.
Mr Cable added: “From pencil line to production line, these engines will be fully designed and built in the UK, securing the future of the plant at Dagenham and creating over 300 jobs.”
While at the plant the ministers met with plant manager Martin Everitt and Ford Britain chairman and managing director Mark Ovenden.
Mr Everitt said: “It’s great to welcome the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State to see our work and understand the strategic importance of this place.”
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