3. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Tata Steel

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:05 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 4:05, 17 November 2020

Can I thank John Griffiths for his questions and also recognise the incredible interest that he has shown in steel-making facilities in the Newport area and the wider region over many, many years? He is a great supporter of the sector.

Llanwern employs currently around 960 highly skilled individuals, providing steel for the automotive sector and, therefore, relying clearly on Port Talbot. Tata were at pains—they were at pains—to express their determination to secure UK operations when I spoke with them on Friday. We now look to see those functions that John Griffiths and others have identified to be re-established, or to be returned, back to Wales. We may well see a return of those jobs here from the Netherlands. If not, then I would expect new capabilities to be established here in Wales.

I don't think that it would be for me to speculate over exactly which functions might be based in which of the steel facilities. But, I would imagine that, given the prominent role that the Llanwern site plays in terms of the automotive sector, there may be an opportunity there to develop some of the sales functions. Obviously, we will be working with Tata to look at how we can support the re-establishment of those facilities and capabilities here in Wales. We want to capture as many job opportunities as possible. But, as I have said, we will look very, very soon at those functions, once Tata begin the process of re-establishing them or returning them here to Wales, and we will support them in any way that we can.