Ford plans to axe 800 jobs across the UK

The car manufacturer confirmed it will be cutting jobs over the next three years

Ford has announced 800 jobs will be cut over the next three years across the UK(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Ford has announced plans to cut around 800 jobs across the country. The car manufacturer confirmed it will be cutting the jobs over the next three years as part of a wider cull across Europe, although the ECHO understands the Halewood transmission plant will avoid any job losses.

The company said the wider restructuring programme will result in around 4,000 jobs being cut across the continent, with Germany and UK being the two operations particularly impacted. Ford said the overhaul of jobs is being done with the aim to “create a more cost-competitive structure and ensure the long-term sustainability” of the business in Europe.

Ford explained the decision came about due to pressure from “lower-than-expected demand” for its electric cars. It is yet to be confirmed which UK sites will be impacted by the proposed job cuts.

Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice president for transformation and partnerships, said: “We are proud of our new product portfolio for Europe and committed to building a thriving business in Europe for generations to come.

“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe.”

Liverpool is home to a Ford transmission plant in Halewood, with the company announcing in December 2022 how the plant was an integral part of Ford’s European electrification plan as it centred on zero-emission car sales by 2030.

Kieran Cahill, Ford’s European Industrial Operations vice-president, said at the time: “Ford is a global American brand, woven into the fabric of Europe for more than 100 years and a major employer here at Halewood for almost 60 years.

“Our vision in Europe is to build a thriving business, by extending leadership in commercial vehicles and through the electrification of our car range. Halewood is playing a critical part as our first in-house investment in EV component manufacturing in Europe.”