Chris Evans MP: UK steel workers deserve better
3 min read
Welsh Labour MP Chris Evans writes that Government ministers 'must take all viable measures to protect this vital industry' following Tata Steel's announcement to sell off some or all of its UK plants.
The British steel industry, and the communities which were built up around our major steelworks, brought the world into the industrial age. We owe so much of our wealth and development to generations of steel workers including those in Port Talbot.
Tata Steel announced today that they will sell their UK business after making losses of over £2 billion over the past five years. They cite a global oversupply of steel and low demand as reasons for the losses.
A sale may seem a better outcome than an outright closure or mothballing of the sites, which we know would cause devastation to our steel communities, but the uncertainty is still extremely worrying for the communities that rely on steel jobs. The truth is there may not be many willing buyers.
The Government can and must do more to save our steel. We have all seen the pictures of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor in high-visibility jackets and hard-hats. We have all heard of Osborne’s imaginary ‘march of the makers’ mantra. But where is the action?
Last night, Tata executives met in Mumbai with representatives of the UK steel industry and communities, including Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock and union representatives, to discuss the future of thousands of British jobs in the steel industry.
Meanwhile the man most able to represent the UK steel industry - Business Secretary Sajid Javid - went on a trip to Australia to deliver a speech over lunch. He needs to get back to Britain immediately to fight for our steel industry rather than posing for photo opportunities.
The National Assembly for Wales will be recalled next Monday to receive an urgent statement from the First Minister on this issue. I welcome the First Minister’s indications that the Welsh Government will work together with Tata management, trade unions and UK Government to work out a solution to this crisis.
The fact of the matter is the Welsh Government does not have the resources to save our steel on its own. It is a matter of urgency that Parliament must now be recalled so that swift, decisive steps can be taken to get behind our steel communities and protect our steel industry.
We need a Business Secretary, Chancellor and a Prime Minister who are all willing to take all viable measures to protect this vital industry. If the Government fails to take action we stand to lose yet more high skilled jobs and communities will be devastated. Our steel workers deserve better than that.
Chris Evans is the Labour Member of Parliament for Islwyn
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