I met with Trade Union Representatives at Llanwern on Monday. Following that meeting, I wanted to update you in the action I and other South Wales MP’s, have been taking since the devastating news on 18th January of the 1050 job losses in the steel industry.  It is clearly an extremely anxious time for all of you who work at Llanwern and your families.

Much of the media coverage has talked about Port Talbot, because of the wording of the TATA press release.  I want to reassure you that I and other politicians are keenly aware keenly aware of the impact the announcement on everyone at Llanwern.

Steel workers at Llanwern and Port Talbot have done all they can to play their part in helping the company through this crisis caused by falling prices, cheap Chinese imports, high energy costs and more. The Welsh Government has set up a task force to see how they can help, but they can only do so much. We need UK Ministers to make good on the actions laid out clearly by the industry and unions at the steel summit, and to do so as quickly as possible.  We have taken every opportunity to ensure they receive the message loud and clear.

This month I have spoken in debates on the future of UK Steel and questioned Ministers on behalf of workers in Llanwern. The steel industry is facing unprecedented challenges and I, along with other Steel MPs, will continue to take every opportunity on the floor of the House of Commons to press the Government on what more can be done to protect this vital industry of national importance to the UK and to us locally.  I have included some links to debates I have taken part in this month. 

13^th January 2016 Question the Minister of State for Business

14^th January 2016 Questions to the Leader of the House

18^th January 2016  Steel statement following TATA steel announcement

21^st January 2016 Debate on the future of the UK Steel Industry

Media coverage

The South Wales Argus has covered the debates here and has published my article about the impact here

BBC coverage is here here