Solidarity with dedicated steelworkers at Tata’s Port Talbot plant who are no doubt be deeply worried about what comes next.

Some of those based in Port Talbot travel from Newport each day, so the impact of today’s announcement will be felt in our city also.

While operations at the Llanwern site aren’t  immediately impacted by last week’s announcement from Tata, I know that the highly-skilled workforce and their families there will be understandably concerned about the future of the site and their jobs.

The Newport Labour Council led by Jane Mudd, John Griffiths MS, Jayne Bryant MS, Ruth Jones MP and I will stand with our steelworkers in the weeks and months ahead, working to support those facing job losses and standing with what remains of the UK’s steelmaking industry.

That the U.K. risks no longer having sovereign steel-making capability is yet another badge of shame for this useless Conservative government.

Yesterday, I asked the government if they’re actually serious about levelling up, giving how short-sighted their take on UK steelmaking is – you can see that below – and, over the coming days and weeks I’ll keep looking for opportunities to stand up fr our steelworkers.