&w=3840&q=100)
Tata Steel begins Port Talbot EAF project as UK backs £500-mn investment
To mark this milestone for Tata Steel and British steelmaking, Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran will be joined by UK government ministers at a groundbreaking event scheduled for later on Monday.
Chandrasekaran will be flanked by Tata Steel Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director T V Narendran, and Tata Steel UK Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Nair, as they officially break the ground with spades, launching the construction of the UK's largest low-carbon steelmaking facility and marking a shift away from traditional blast furnaces.
Government support and job impact
The development is part of a £1.25-billion transformation towards low-carbon steelmaking, supported by a £500-million investment from the UK government.
The transition secures 5,000 jobs across Tata Steel UK, even as the closure of heavy-end assets is expected to impact 2,500 positions.
Leadership emphasises sustainability and partnership
In a statement ahead of the ceremony, Chandrasekaran said: 'This is an important day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today's groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new electric arc furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain.'
'At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership. This project is also part of Tata Group's wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country,' he added.
UK government hails strategic shift in steelmaking
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, 'This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking, backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.'
'This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible,' he added.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: 'The UK government acted decisively to ensure that steelmaking in Port Talbot will continue for generations to come, backing Tata Steel with £500 million to secure its future in the town, along with £80 million to support workers and the wider community.'
'Our Steel Strategy will also deliver £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth,' Stevens added.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: 'The start of the construction phase is good news for Port Talbot and neighbouring communities, and I'm especially pleased that Tata has committed to employing local contractors and local workers where it can.'
Mixed reactions as union calls day 'bittersweet'
Steelworkers' union Community described the development as a 'bittersweet' day. In a statement, Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: 'This bittersweet day is a consequence of the devastating closure of the blast furnaces, but importantly, a future for Port Talbot steelmaking is being secured. The workforce needs the electric arc furnace project to be both a success and a turning point, and we look forward to playing our part to get the new furnace up and running.'
Broader decarbonisation strategy and supply chain
As part of Tata Steel UK's broader decarbonisation strategy, the project will also include new ladle metallurgy facilities, infrastructure upgrades, and collaborations with technology providers such as Tenova, ABB, and Clecim.
The construction is being led by main contractor Robert McAlpine, supported by a strong regional supply chain that includes Darlow Lloyd & Sons, Mii, Skelton Thomas, Wernick Buildings, Andrew Scott Ltd, and Systems Group, the company said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
27 minutes ago
- NDTV
Narendra Modi UK Visit LIVE: PM Modi Leaves For 2-Day UK Visit, Trade Agreement, Khalistanis On Agenda
PM Narendra Modi UK and Maldives Visit LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to start his four-day visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives on Wednesday. The Prime Minister is scheduled to start the tour with a two-day visit to Britain, where he's expected to formally sign the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement that is expected to double bilateral trade from the current 60 billion dollars to 120 billion dollars by 2030. This is PM Modi's fourth visit to the UK. During his stay, he will meet British counterpart Kair Starmer and will likely also call on King Charles III. The discussions will also touch upon regional and global developments of mutual concern, according to the Foreign Ministry. The prime minister will visit the Maldives from July 25 to 26. The trip is seen as important as it marks a significant reset of bilateral ties that had come under severe strain after Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, became president in November 2023. Here Are PM Narendra Modi's UK and Maldives Visit LIVE Updates: Jul 23, 2025 12:19 (IST) PM Modi in Maldives LIVE: What's On India's Agenda In the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will undertake a state visit to Maldives from July 25-26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. This marks PM Modi's third visit to the island nation and the first by any head of state or government during President Muizzu's tenure. "The two leaders will also take stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership', adopted during the State Visit of the President of Maldives to India in October 2024," said MEA. Significantly, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives on July 26. His visit underlines India's commitment to strengthening ties with its maritime neighbours under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. The leaders are expected to assess progress in key areas including infrastructure, defence cooperation, and economic connectivity. The high-profile diplomatic engagements aim to reinforce India's global outreach while reaffirming its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region and beyond. Jul 23, 2025 12:18 (IST) PM Modi UK Visit LIVE: What's On India's Agenda Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation tour of the UK and the Maldives on Wednesday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. PM Modi's visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23–24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country. 'During the visit, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties,' said the Ministry of External Affairs in its press release. The discussions will also touch upon regional and global developments of mutual concern. The visit is expected to inject new momentum into the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with both leaders aiming to review progress and chart new areas of cooperation, including India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). PM Modi is also likely to call on King Charles III during his stay. PM Modi Maldives Visit LIVE: Free Trade Agreement, Investment Treaty On Agenda For PM Modi's Maldives July 25 Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State visit to Maldives this week will not only contribute further to consolidating strong ties between the two nations but also enhance peace, prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Tuesday. Both countries, he revealed, are also in discussions to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement and an investment treaty. Prime Minister Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25-26, on the invitation of the Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier - and the first by a Head of State or Government to Maldives during the Presidency of Muizzu which began in November 2023. Khalistani Threat, Extradition Of Fugitives, FTA: India's Agenda Ahead Of PM Narendra Modi's UK Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom on 23rd July for discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. India UK Trade Deal LIVE: Cabinet Okays Free Trade Deal, To Be Signed During PM's UK Visit The cabinet on Tuesday approved the free trade agreement between India and the UK, which will be signed in London on July 24, sources told news agency PTI. The pact, officially called as Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, will be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to London.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
41 minutes ago
- First Post
India-UK FTA: A bold new trade era set to take off
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes his fourth visit to the United Kingdom this week, the economic relationship that India has with the country has come into focus afresh. Both countries are going to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) during the PM's visit, which is his first since Keir Starmer came to power. The signing of the FTA will mark the culmination of three-year-long negotiations, a process that started in the year 2022 and saw both countries iron out significant differences to achieve a mutually beneficial deal. Once operational, this trading agreement is expected to boost India-UK bilateral trade from its current volume of $55 billion to $120 billion by 2030. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The UK remains a key economic partner for India and is also the sixth-largest investor in India, with cumulative investments of around $36 billion. India itself is a key contributor to the British economy, with at least 1,000 Indian companies operating in the country, employing more than one lakh people, with a total investment of $20 billion. Inking an FTA with an emerging economic powerhouse like India is significant for the UK, and maybe this is why they have called it their 'biggest and economically most significant' bilateral agreement since exiting the European Union. For India, this FTA is equally important, as the country is an important market for Indian exports—one with which it also enjoys a modest trade surplus. The FTA is also crucial because it is one of those agreements that India has signed after overhauling its approach to trade liberalisation under the leadership of PM Modi. In 2014, when Modi came to power, one of the first things on his priority list was to review the existing trading arrangements that India had with countries across the world. Prior to this, the previous government had indiscriminately signed FTAs regardless of whether they were securing market access for Indian products or not. Within a decade, India had signed trade agreements with Singapore, ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, among others. This one-sided economic liberalism did provide the UPA coalition with an image of a progressive government that was doing a 'lot' for the country's economy, but by the time they went out of power, India's trade deficit with key countries—including China (with which there was no FTA but just ambitious bilateral trade targets)—had zoomed to unsustainable levels. The India-ASEAN FTA particularly faced a huge domestic backlash because it made India a dumping ground for cheap offerings, while Indian products struggled to survive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Naturally, the issue of the trade deficit and India's lack of capacity to compete in the global market was of grave concern to the Modi government, which preferred to adopt a strategic approach to FTAs—one that focused on securing market access for Indian products on a reciprocal basis. This was more than evident when his government put a pause on signing FTAs till 2021 and even withdrew from the China-dominated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Though Modi faced a lot of flak from his detractors—who called him a socialist, a protectionist, and considered his move to not sign FTAs as adversarial to India's economic interest—he did not budge, as if he knew what was best to protect the country's economic interests. While a strategic pause was put on signing new trading agreements and a careful review of the existing ones was being undertaken, his government took concrete steps on one very important front—building India's indigenous manufacturing capacity so as to compete effectively at the global level. The spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the early launch of the 'Make in India' program, and the game-changing Production-Linked Incentive Scheme were some of the essential steps that were taken before actually boarding the FTA wagon again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Along with this, the government was also planning a new approach to integration with the global economy, where emphasis was on using this integration to boost India's economy and not just become a market open to exploitation by much more developed countries. When India signs the FTA with the United Kingdom this week during PM Modi's visit, the changed approach to bilateral trading arrangements would be more than visible. Because this time, it has literally put in unprecedented efforts to negotiate a favourable deal with a much-developed economy. The FTA with the UK is set to provide duty-free access to 99 per cent of Indian goods, with key sectors such as automobiles—including electric vehicles—engineering goods, sports goods, and even services benefiting. Most importantly, India, being a labour-intensive economy, will gain access to a wide market, particularly for its leather products, apparel and footwear, toys, marine products, and gems and jewellery. In the last decade, the Modi government's efforts to revive the electronics sector—making it a leading engine of the country's manufacturing story—will be suitably rewarded by this trade deal, as electronics exports from India to the UK have already surged from $450 million in 2020 to $1.7 billion in 2023. India's textiles sector will also benefit from the FTA, which already exports knit apparel and raw materials worth Rs 1.5 billion to the United Kingdom annually. The sheer scope of job creation due to a boost in these exports is going to be huge, with the country's large and cost-wise globally most competitive labour force finding meaningful avenues for employment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Interestingly, India has also allowed for liberalisation in the auto sector—but on a strictly reciprocal basis and that too with well-thought-out caution in place in the form of a quota-based easing of tariffs. This will definitely provide traction to Indian automakers in the UK market, unlocking newer opportunities for them. Another interesting aspect of the trade deal is India's access to the British public procurement market. This means Indian firms will be handed non-discriminatory treatment while applying to fulfil public procurement tenders floated by the UK government. While the exact figures for the UK's total procurement are not available, it is estimated to be an opportunity worth hundreds of billions of pounds that Indian suppliers can now readily tap into. In return, India has also allowed UK-based businesses to participate in public procurement contracts—but only in non-sensitive sectors, with a caveat that they must have at least 20 per cent Indian content. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Along with other wins, a crucial victory for Indian negotiators is the provision for exemption from UK's social security contributions in the form of the Double Contributions Convention Agreement (DCCA). Due to this, Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK—and their employers—will not have to contribute anything towards social security in the country, thus leading to savings of around 20 per cent of their salaries. This will set a good precedent for other developed countries to follow with India. India's unexplored side as a tough negotiator has really come to the fore through this deal, as India has also secured exemption for sensitive agricultural products such as dairy products, apples, cheese, oats, etc., which would have collapsed due to fierce competition from British products in the category. Even sensitive industrial goods that need protection before they can compete globally—such as plastics, optical fibres, TV camera tubes, etc.—have also been excluded from the deal. On certain other goods, India has agreed to cut duties only on a gradual basis over a longer period of time. This also includes liquor, where duties will be reduced only over a period of ten years so as to protect the domestic market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This week, when PM Modi signs the FTA with the UK, it will not only signal India's new-found willingness to integrate with the global market, but it will also demonstrate its resolve to do it only on beneficial terms. The days of signing FTAs for the sake of appearing liberal and seeking validation from economists are over for India. This dispensation has shown that it is willing to walk the talk of trade liberalisation with the developed world—but only when it also boosts the country's own economy. The agreement is an example of India's growing assertiveness in the domain of foreign economic policy, and other developed countries who are looking to seal a deal with India must duly take note of it. The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hans India
41 minutes ago
- Hans India
Eyeing 'tangible outcomes', PM Modi embarks on two-nation visit to UK and Maldives
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives, hoping to solidify bilateral relations and expressing confidence that the visit will yield tangible outcomes. PM Modi's visit to the UK, scheduled for July 23-24, comes at the invitation of British counterpart Keir Starmer and will be his fourth trip to the country. In his departure statement, PM Modi said, "India and UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties." Day after tomorrow, 25th July, I will be in the Maldives at the invitation of the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. I am honoured to be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives. This year we also mark 60 years of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. The… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025 He said that he will hold bilateral meetings with PM Starmer and will discuss further enhancing the economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries. "I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit," he said. In the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25-26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. This marks PM Modi's third visit to the island nation and the first by any head of state or government during President Muizzu's tenure. Significantly, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives on July 26. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. His visit underlines India's commitment to strengthening ties with its maritime neighbours under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. PM Modi said that he is looking forward to meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership of the Indian Ocean archipelago, to advance the joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen the cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). "I am confident that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighbourhood First Policy," PM Modi said.
