Newport politicians back multi-union steel plan

Newport’s MPs and MS’s have voiced their support for the multi-union plan to secure the long-term future of Tata sites in South Wales, including Llanwern Steelworks. The comprehensive plan, which has been endorsed by steel unions Community and GMB, presents an alternative approach to the bad deal for steel announced by Tata and the UK Government in September.

Under the existing proposals set out by Tata, Port Talbot Steelworks would transition to an electric arc furnace (EAF)-only site. Under this model, it is not possible to make some high-end automotive steels, threatening jobs downstream at Llanwern. This would lock the UK into a single technological approach which is substantially less green than the strategies being adopted by other countries.

This would be avoided under the ambitious multi-union plan, which would see blast furnace production at Port Talbot continue to run until the end of its life-cycle in 2032, while one small EAF and later a second EAF or Open Slag Bath Furnace (OSBF) are constructed. The plan also recommends the construction of a Direct Iron Reduction (DRI) plant in Port Talbot to fully decarbonise steelmaking and to ensure the UK retains its strategically important capability to produce virgin steel. Our multi-union plan can safeguard steel production at Tata in South Wales for generations to come.

Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, said:

“The multi-union plan for steel shared by Community and GMB offers a practical and positive strategy for decarbonisation which protects jobs and livelihoods across South Wales, including at Llanwern. 

 

“We can’t have a just, green transition for our economy without a thriving steel sector, which is why Labour has pledged to deliver a £3 billion investment in the industry over the next decade to achieve near-zero emission steel production by 2035. The strategy announced by the unions shares that same ambition for an industry which is at the heart of the community here in Newport East. It’s important that Tata and the UK Government engage thoroughly with its recommendations.”

“The UK Government-Tata proposal announced in September was decarbonisation on the cheap: bad for workers, bad for the economy and bad for the environment. 

 

“The alternative laid out in the multi-union report shows that it doesn’t have to be this way, and that a just transition for steel is available. I welcome Community and GMB’s commitment to safeguarding jobs at Tata’s downstream sites as a priority, and the plan they have put forward today recognises Llanwern’s strategic importance and potential.”

“We have a proud steel industry here in Newport and it should have a bright future.

 

“The plans previously announced by Tata and the UK Government would have jeopardised that future and undermined the industry right across South Wales.

 

“Community and GMB have put forward a significant and credible alternative, which Tata and the UK Government should now consider carefully.”

“The multi-union report presents a viable alternative to the bad deal Tata and the UK Government put forward in September. 

 

“While that plan would have offshored carbon emissions and left the steel industry reliant on imports, the multi-union proposal would ensure an end-to-end supply chain for steel in South Wales – safeguarding jobs and livelihoods here in Newport and beyond.”

“The multi-union plan, which had been agreed by all the steel unions, can safeguard the future of Port Talbot steelmaking and protect all the downstream plants, and crucially it can be delivered with no compulsory redundancies.

 

“It is a serious and credible plan developed with the support of the respected industry experts Syndex, who have had access to the company’s confidential information and who have in-depth knowledge of Tata Steel UK having worked with us since 2014.

 

“Our alternative is ready-to-go and we call on all stakeholders to get on board and back the plan, back our industry and back our steelworkers.”

You can read more on the multi-union plan for our steel industry here.