New Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has asked for an urgent action plan to support the workforce and the supply chain at Tata Steel in Port Talbot.
The call came as the Welsh Secretary chaired the first meeting of the Port Talbot/Tata Steel Transition Board under the new UK Government, which said the Transition Board had now “moved from discussion to delivery”.
As part of its £20 million contribution to the Transition Board, Tata Steel will begin work with Bridgend College to offer production-based employees in Port Talbot the opportunity to convert their skills into nationally-recognised qualifications, which will support them in accessing future employment opportunities.
The Transition Board has access to up to £100 million – including £80 million from the UK Government – to invest in skills and regeneration programmes for the local area.
Tata Steel has also re-confirmed its commitment to offer an enhanced redundancy package and has begun asking for expressions of interest from employees which will run to 7 August.
Ms Stevens, who was appointed Secretary of State for Wales by the Prime Minister following the General Election of 4 July, has taken over as Chair of the Board.
The Transition Board meeting featured representatives from business, unions, Welsh Government and local politicians.
The Welsh Secretary commissioned the Board to work collaboratively and at speed to present options on how to support businesses and workers affected by Tata Steel’s transformation plan.
This process will run in parallel with ongoing negotiations with Tata Steel about future aspirations for the UK business.
The Secretary of State also said the Board would now be an “equal partnership” between political representatives, business and unions.
In Port Talbot, the Welsh Secretary also met current steelworkers at a cafe where she discussed their concerns about the future of Tata Steel in the town, visited the Tata Steel Skills Academy where she met apprentices, and later travelled to RunTech in Swansea – a logistics company in Tata Steel’s supply chain – to hear about how workers there are affected.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said:
“This Government is determined to do all it can to protect our Welsh steel industry and has immediately reset our approach on how we work with businesses and communities. We will work collaboratively with a single focus to support our steel industry and affected communities.
“But businesses and workers are already feeling the impact of Tata Steel’s transition. The time for talking is over. I have commissioned a rapid assessment of how we can offer immediate support and further announcements will follow soon.
“We will deliver for workers and businesses in Port Talbot and across South Wales, whatever happens.”
