The Future of the Steel Industry in Wales

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:30 pm on 17 September 2019.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 1:30, 17 September 2019

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. You rightly point out that the UK Government needs to play its part. It hasn't even done a steel sector deal yet. The previous Secretary of State and the current Secretary of State seem to be oblivious to the importance of addressing this issue of our steel sector. Now, as you know, Port Talbot steelworks is crucial to my constituency. Many steelworks across the areas in Wales are actually the lifeblood of many local communities, and, whilst I want to talk about Port Talbot, I think it's more important we talk about the wider steel agenda and the recent announcement by Tata on closing the Orb works. The Orb works is part of the steel family in Wales, is part of the structure of Wales. What actions are the Welsh Government taking to look at the help it can give to the workers of the Orb works, because even though Tata are saying they will relocate many, actually what that does is take away jobs from other people and the jobs of future people coming into the Orb works. Opportunities will disappear. So, what's the Welsh Government going to do to ensure that the Orb works and the workers have a future?