Chris Evans, the Member of Parliament for Islwyn, has called for urgent action to support steelworkers affected by the job cuts at Tata Steel in Port Talbot, confirmed today.
The proposed closure of two blast furnaces at the steelworks in Port Talbot will lead to up to 3,000 job losses across the UK, primarily in Port Talbot and South Wales.
Mr Evans said: “The job cuts announced by Tata Steel today are devastating news for steelworkers in Port Talbot and South Wales, and others involved in the steel supply chain.
“These job losses were avoidable and represent a complete failure of Tata Steel and the UK Government to work with the unions and listen to their constructive proposals.
“I am calling on the UK Government and Tata Steel to urgently think again. They could defer the closure of at least one of the blast furnaces, and seriously consider other ways of investing in and decarbonising steel production without large scale job losses.
“This would be the right thing to do for South Wales, and at a time of great international instability would ensure the UK can continue producing its own new steel.”
