Pontypridd MP Owen Smith said: "If it is true that Ford have plans to cut over 1,100 jobs at its Bridgend plant then this is desperate news for workers and would be a devastating blow to the South Wales economy. 

"The Welsh Labour Government and Trade Union colleagues, especially Unite, will no doubt be doing all they can to understand the situation and to protect jobs. 

"The Tory Government in Westminster also has to step up and protect these jobs that are so vital for our local economy. 

"We know that they have offered incentives and guarantees to Nissan to stay in the North East, we now need to see the same intervention in South Wales."

Plaid Cymru Bridgend has tweeted, external Ford saying "this is a disgraceful act"

Image source, Reuters

Here is the latest statement from Ford: "We announced in September last year that Ford would invest an initial £100m of an approved investment to build a family of all-new, technologically-advanced petrol engines at Bridgend from late 2018.

"In line with this announcement, we have shared the five-year outlook with our Union partners, based on what we know today. 

"This shows healthy volumes to occupy the current workforce over the next 2-3 years. 

"Beyond that, identified workload is reduced and whilst such a forecast is not unusual, given the cyclical nature of our business, it is a concern, and we fully understand that. 

"Ford has therefore proposed a joint-working party with its union partners, UNITE and GMB, to identify future business opportunities. 

"It goes without saying, that in order to attract new business, the Bridgend operation would need to ensure its competitiveness, and addressing some of the current concerns relating to the plant's efficiency would be high on the agenda."

• In September, Ford announced cut backs on its planned investment in the new Dragon engine but it said its 1,850 workers would not be affected
• Ford has said it would not comment on leaked documents about job cuts but it is preparing a revised statement
• The car maker currently manufactures 655,000 engines in Bridgend but the contracts for these are coming to an end and there's only guaranteed work for 125,000 in the future  
• The leaked document, seen by BBC Wales, says the plant is underperforming in comparison to similar sites including Ford Dagenham
• Full story: 1,160 Bridgend Ford jobs projected

Image source, bbc

Image source, Credit Geograph/Mick Lobb

BBC Wales economics correspondent Sarah Dickins said: "The decline on the horizon for the Bridgend engine plant is the latest phase of a shift in gear that has been going on since the early 1990s. 

"The change in emphasis goes back to 2008 and the 'one Ford Plan' - the decision at Ford HQ in Dearborn in the States to 'go global'. 

"This meant operating as a global company and no longer have Ford UK and Ford Europe making different designs of cars compared with the USA and rest of the world."  

Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Adam Price AM this morning called on the first minister to travel to Detroit and speak directly with Ford chief executive Mark Field.

He urged Carwyn Jones to get assurances regarding the future of the Bridgend site. 

He told Radio Cymru's  Post Cyntaf programme : "We've got to get confirmation one way or another with the company, and I'd call on the first minister to go to Detroit."

Earlier, First Minister Carwyn Jones said he was "seeking urgent assurances" from Ford about its future plans for Bridgend.

Ford is projecting a reduction of 1,160 workers by 2021 at its Bridgend plant, according to a leaked document written by the company and seen by BBC Wales.

It is based on the assumption that it is unable to bring any new work to the site. 

The document says that the plant is underperforming in comparison to similar sites including Ford Dagenham.  

More to follow. 

Image source, Ford

Good morning. Welcome to our coverage of the news breaking this morning in relation to the potential loss of jobs at Ford's plant in Bridgend .