The Party of Wales Shadow Economy Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said:
“It is extremely concerning news that four hundred families are facing the threat of redundancy as the result of Tata’s decision to restructure. In difficult global economic circumstances it is important that Welsh Government is able to listen and respond to companies’ needs and demands, such as through business rates support.
“I hope that the Welsh Government will work closely with the company as it moves forward to and responds to its concerns to ensure that Tata has the support it needs to remain a strong presence in the global marketplace.”
Bethan Jenkins, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales West, said:
“I have asked Tata why this announcement came out of the blue, with only local Labour politicians apparently briefed. It seems to me a cynical and calculated way of letting the community know that more jobs are on their way from Port Talbot.
“It has been known for some time that the Port Talbot site has struggled in what are tough world steel markets. But I’d hoped that with the investment and the diversification going on there, we might have had some more imaginative solutions that would have meant keeping these people on and the Abbey Works moving on to survive and thrive in a competitive future.
“Tata has got some good plans in the pipeline. Now the Welsh Government and other governments and agencies have to work to help the company put those plans into practice – before this happens again.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth added:
“Plaid Cymru has also championed action to bring down energy costs for businesses and consumers by setting up an energy company, arms-length from government that is able to reinvest profits, subsidising bills for consumers and industry.”
