Reacting to the news of potential redundancies at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, said:
“This is very sad news for the workers at Tata Steel, and I hope they’re able to find the support that they need at this difficult time.
“The Welsh Government need to act quickly so those workers who are facing redundancy will know what options are available to them. Both the Welsh and UK Governments must work together to ensure that no-one is left behind by this announcement.”
Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Economy, added:
“These are difficult times for the Steel industry and the loss of these jobs will be a huge blow to workers at the plant. My Lib Dem colleague, the UK Business Secretary Vince Cable, has been in regular contact with Tata Steel’s Chief Executive and has been assured that compulsory redundancies will be avoided as far as possible.
“The economic crisis has hit Tata and other steelmakers very hard, and because so much of the market for steel depends on high-level economic activity, the recovery is taking longer to be felt in this sector. I am hugely disappointed to hear of these redundancies, but I hope that it will allow Tata Steel to continue to operate successfully in South Wales and hopefully grow again in the future.”
“I hope to ask an urgent question in the Assembly to make sure this issue is dealt with as quickly as possible.”
