Tata: “Shotton is still profitable and it must be safeguarded” – local reaction.

Owners of Shotton steel Tata have confirmed they will offload the UK operation, threatening thousands of jobs.

Whilst it’s not clear exactly what the future holds for the Shotton site given the announcment from Tata, local politicians have said the Deeside plant is still a profitable operation and must be safeguarded and jobs protected.

Mr Sargeant said;

“I support the proposal of a recall for members of the National Assembly for Wales to reconvene to discuss the issues around the crisis in the steel industry.

“I vividly remember the impact of the high level of redundancies we experienced here in Deeside in 1980.

“The Shotton group is still profitable and it must be safeguarded and jobs protected. I’ll make sure Shotton’s voice is heard in response to Tata’s proposal.”

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami has criticised the Conservative Government saying it is more interested in cosying up with Chinese investors rather than saving the UK steel industry.

He said:

“Yesterday’s announcement came as a complete shock, perhaps not in the respect of Port Talbot, rather the company’s decision to look for buyers for the whole UK part of the company.

“While Shotton is a profitable plant we cannot assume that its future is secure.

“The Government has been talking about intervening for quite some time; however it appears to be all talk and no action.

“The industry is in a state because of the dumping of Chinese steel, yet Government MEPs along with UKIP MEPs have blocked every attempt of stronger action.

“This Government is more interested in cosying up with Chinese investors rather than saving the steel industry.

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