Tata Steel

Part of 5. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:58 pm on 11 March 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:58, 11 March 2020

Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her question and her contribution this afternoon? I promise I will raise concerns about the numbers that could be lost from Trostre and every other steel site in the Tata family in Wales. The Member is absolutely right that the transformation planning is seeking to identify primarily white collar jobs that could be cut rather than blue collar. The numbers, as I understand them, of white collar at Trostre are not hugely significant, although there are obviously many backroom office jobs that could be affected. So, I will absolutely fight the case for Trostre and the retention of as many jobs there as possible.

I would agree with the Member as well that the state aid defence is a weak defence now, and it's also a weak defence, as we discussed yesterday, in terms of the support that could be offered to Cardiff Airport and many other sectors in the economy. Steel is strategically important in numerous ways for the UK. No other nation, as far as I can see, would be willing to allow steelmaking to be lost from their shores. Here in the UK, the UK Government must work with us in partnership. We wish to work with the UK Government. I'm determined to work with BEIS. I wish to see experience and expertise exchanged between Welsh Government and BEIS in order to ensure that we give the best possible fighting chance to the steel sector and many other areas of our economy for future generations. And that work should begin today with a concerted effort by the UK Government, through the budget, to address high energy prices.