New Welsh Labour leader meets union officials at Tata Steel
Eluned Morgan was joined by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens MP and Huw Irranca-Davies MS
Last updated 2nd Aug 2024
New Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan met GMB, Unite, and Community at Tata steelworks in Port Talbot to discuss the future for thousands of workers at the site.
Eluned was joined by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens MP and Huw Irranca-Davies MS.
Earlier this month, Tata shut down one of its two coal-fired blast furnaces at the plant.
It plans to switch off the second in September as part of its longer-term plan to transition to electric arc steelmaking.
Up to 3,000 jobs could be lost across Tata’s UK operations. Port Talbot is the largest steelmaking plant in the UK.
Eluned said: "It was really important to me that one of the first meetings I had as Welsh Labour leader was with unions about the ongoing situation at Tata Steel.
"As First Minister, I will stand alongside workers to save as many steel jobs as we can, and to ensure that the transition to decarbonisation doesn't leave workers behind."
Huw said: "I know the workforce at Tata is facing a lot of uncertainty. Eluned and I are here to say the Welsh Government has your back."
Jo said: "Labour is committed to protecting and growing our steel communities in Wales. Eluned and I are clear that we will need more steel, not less, to achieve our ambitions for Wales and Britain.
"Both Labour governments will continue to listen to, engage and work with businesses and unions to forge a new partnership that kickstarts our national renewal."
The visit to Port Talbot continues Eluned’s summer of listening.
She has promised to visit cities, towns and villages all over the country to listen to people about their priorities for Wales.