Deeside politician urges UK Government to help fund decarbonisation of steel industry in Wales
The Member of the Senedd for Alyn and Deeside, Jack Sargeant, is leading a call for the UK Government to provide significant investment to secure the sustainable future of the steel industry in Wales.
Sargeant’s call for action is joined by major industry players such as Tata Steel and trade unions such as Unite and Community, as they all seek to protect the future of the Welsh steel industry.
During questions in the Senedd, Sargeant emphasised the importance of Welsh steel and its need for a green energy supply.
The Member of the Senedd stated that the £600 million offered by the UK Government is simply not enough to address the concerns raised during the cross-party group on steel.
Sargeant also questioned the lack of response from past and current Prime Ministers in response to the letters calling for meaningful investment.
The Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething, responded affirmatively to Sargeant’s calls for action and agreed that meaningful investment is needed to help the industry chart a path to decarbonisation for a sustainable future.
Gething highlighted the need for a different approach from the UK Government, stating that a £600 million offer between two companies will not be enough to achieve the desired outcome.
In conclusion, the Welsh steel industry is calling for the UK Government to take action and provide meaningful investment to secure its sustainable future.
The industry recognises the need to decarbonise and calls for the UK Government to work towards ensuring that energy prices are competitive with other nations and investing in the decarbonisation of plants.
The Minister for the Economy has pledged to lead these calls for investment, and the industry is optimistic about a positive outcome that will secure the future of Welsh steel.
Speaking in the Senedd, Jack Sargeant said: “The £600 million offered by the UK Government is simply not enough; that was the clear message of concern during the cross-party group on steel.”
“We know that you’ll be joining the cross-party group on steel some time in future.”
“We’re yet to hear from the Prime Minister, or the last three Prime Ministers, in response to our letters, which, perhaps, is no surprise.”
“But, Minister, will you continue to lead calls for meaningful investment from the UK Government in the Welsh steel industry?”
Economy Vaughan Gething said: “I want to see British and Welsh steel in those products in the future, and that requires a different approach from the UK Government.”
“A £600 million offer between two companies isn’t going to get us where we need to be, but at least there is an offer for us to work with, and hopefully see an end result that all of us can celebrate and be positive about.”
