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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:46 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:46, 17 November 2020

Can I thank Mark Isherwood for his questions and his contribution, and agree with him that discussion over ownership models is actually a distraction right now from what has to be done? And I think we have to focus right now on supporting Tata to undergo the transformation that I've outlined that is necessary to make them more competitive and to secure the long-term future of the facilities in Wales and across the UK. 

I've spoken on numerous occasions now with the Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, since the announcement, and I've also spoken, as I said, with Nadhim Zahawi, and I'm seeking further discussion with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma. I'm keen to make sure that the Welsh Government is able to support the UK Government in providing the finances to Tata Steel UK's businesses, primarily Tata Steel here in Wales, by adding value—by adding value. And the role that we can play in the Welsh Government in adding value is to support the workers to undergo skills training and to ensure that the right research and development capabilities are developed. That's our key role, and that's why I think it's really important that those ongoing discussions involve Welsh Government wherever possible. 

Mark Isherwood asked a number of questions specific to the Tata Shotton site, the Shotton Colours site, which employs 760 highly skilled people. That site has enormous potential—huge potential. It's my understanding that demand for products from that site had returned, prior to the announcement, to pre-COVID levels, demonstrating just how competitive that site is, just how high the quality of those products is. And I remain very excited indeed about the potential for the Tata site in becoming a logistics hub—not just a logistics hub for Heathrow, but for other businesses across multiple sectors. And my officials are working incredibly closely with Tata Steel to understand some of the barriers that need to be overcome in forming that logistics hub at the Shotton site and, in particular, how we can open up a third access to the site. That would be vitally important in securing the site as a logistics hub serving not only Heathrow but potentially many other sectors and, as I've already mentioned, floating offshore wind. I think there could be an opportunity there for renewable energy manufacturing or logistics as well.