Save our Steel
Giving an update on actions in response to the TATA Steel announcement, Nia Griffith MP said,
“The announcement by Tata Steel is extremely worrying for all our steelworkers and their families and the many others in our communities whose jobs are dependent on keeping the steelworks open.
It is now vital that the UK Government should act immediately to offer all the help necessary, together with the right conditions to attract a suitable buyer. So, as steel MPs, we have requested a very urgent meeting with the Business Secretary Sajid Javid MP and Hans Fischer, Chief Executive of Tata Steel Europe, to make sure that every effort is made to put in support and attract a buyer.
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn MP visited Port Talbot today, to meet with Union representatives, and, as Labour MPs, we are demanding that the Prime Minister David Cameron recall Parliament, as time is of the essence and steel is of strategic importance: losing our steel-making capacity would have major repercussions for the UK. Sign our petition at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/126128
We are asking UK Government Ministers to take heed of what the industry and steel MPs have been saying for years, that the Chancellor should never have imposed such a high carbon tax in 2010, that there needs to be tougher action against Chinese dumping and that we need very significant and immediate investment in infrastructure projects using UK steel
We must all work closely together to do everything we can to save our steel industry: Welsh Government First Minister Carwyn Jones AM and Business Minister Edwina Hart have pledged full support to explore all feasible options for a sustainable future, and the Tata Taskforce meets again on Monday.
Here in Llanelli, Trostre steelworks has a superb and dedicated workforce, who have shown in the past that they can secure new markets and make the plant more competitive, through introducing their two-week lead –in time for new specifications. They will be a real asset to any buyer. It is now vital that the UK Government should offer all the support necessary, together with the right conditions to attract a suitable buyer.”
