'Double standards' to protect steel
Welsh politicians have accused the UK government of double standards over an emergency bill to protect steel in England.
In a debate discussing a proposed British Steel law to save a Scunthorpe plant, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrat MPs criticised the government's plans, saying it had failed to do the same for Port Talbot.
Liz Saville-Roberts, Plaid's Westminster leader, said: "Scunthorpe gets security, Port Talbot gets a pittance."
The bill has since been approved by Parliament and UK ministers say the two steel works are in different situations, and Port Talbot is in a better position because of the Labour government.
Steel nationalisation talks unfair on Wales, says Plaid
Sheen steelworks drama bizarrely close to reality
Mental health funding announced for steelworks town
Traditional steel production in Wales came to an end in September, with the loss of some 2,800 jobs at Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant.
The site is now transitioning to greener steel production with a new electric arc furnace, which requires fewer workers to run, expected to be in place from 2027.
The closure of the blast furnaces was controversial in Wales, with Plaid politicians calling for nationalisation of the steel works.
Speaking during the debate, Ms Saville-Roberts said Wales' first minister Eluned Morgan had dismissed her party's calls for nationalisation of Welsh steel as "pipe dreams".
"This government did not intervene in Wales," she said.
"Plaid Cymru believes Port Talbot could and should have received equal treatment alongside Scunthorpe.
"The measures we are debating today would have been able to be used to save the blast furnaces at Tata Steel in Wales.
"People in Wales will not forget today, today is a day of bitter, bitter disappointment for Port Talbot."
Speaking to BBC Wales, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens described the situation at the plant in Scunthorpe as being "very different" to that in Port Talbot.
"It's the only site in the UK where virgin steel is made, and that's why it's a matter of national importance, strategic importance," said Ms Stevens.
David Chadwick, spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the closure of the blast furnaces had started a decline in economic activity south Wales that affected his constituency.
He said: "It's rubbing salt in the wounds for the people of Port Talbot to now hear the government acknowledge the importance of primary steel production as a strategic national asset
"Where was this urgency when Welsh steel communities were crying out for support, when Tata Steel announced over 2,800 job losses in Port Talbot last year, the largest steel works in the country, a key strategic asset, the manufacturing heart of south Wales."
Mr Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, whose grandfather worked in the blast furnaces, added: "The simple fact is this, the government did not recall parliament for Port Talbot. It did not recall parliament for Wales.
"When crisis hits in Wales, it's tolerated.
"When it hits elsewhere, it becomes a national emergency."
In a post on X, Tom Giffard, Conservative MS for south west Wales, said steel workers in Port Talbot were promised a Labour government would change everything for the steel industry.
"They then sold them down the river by changing nothing, and only taking action when jobs elsewhere were under threat. Labour simply doesn't care about south Wales," he added.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the Commons the Port Talbot deal was negotiated by the previous Conservative government.
"We were not able to reopen the deal, but we did negotiate a better deal," he said.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast ahead of the debate, the industry minister, Sarah Jones, said: "When we came into government, there was a deal on the table with Tata Steel in Port Talbot.
"We negotiated in 10 weeks a much better deal, but there was a private company willing to invest, who are now investing.
"We have maintained 5,000 jobs on the site and there will be a future for that site with an electric arc furnace.
"There is no such deal on the table at the moment [for Scunthorpe], that's what is different.
"The other difference is that these are the last blast furnaces making primary steel that we have in this country, and also what is different of course is that the world is changing.
"As we have seen with the Prime Minister's support for our defence industry in recent times, we need to ensure as a country we have sovereign capability to make steel, and that is what we are securing today."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
'This development is welcome news for Welsh jobs and transport'
The United Kingdom Government's spending review included an additional £445 million rail plan for Wales. This plan will encompass the construction of new railway stations at the following locations: Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, Magor & Undy and Cardiff East. This development is welcome news for Welsh jobs and transport. The railway line and service connecting Ebbw Vale to Newport and Cardiff has been recognised as crucial rail infrastructure for Southeast Wales. This expansion will further enhance this infrastructure, providing more individuals with the opportunity to utilise rail services. In addition to rectifying the inadequacy of HS2 consequential funding, this investment will significantly enhance transport options in Southeast Wales. This is particularly pertinent given the congestion experienced on the M4 and escalating demands on the local transport infrastructure because of much-needed housing. This significant development has the potential to influence employment opportunities and provide increased avenues for skill acquisition. This is imperative for Gwent communities. It was critically important news that the United Kingdom Government announced it was restoring winter fuel allowance payments to more than nine million pensioners across Wales and England. The payment worth £300 will be restored. Anyone with an income of under £35,000 a year will receive it automatically. Those with an income of above the £35,000 threshold will also receive the payment, but it will then be reclaimed from them in tax. The right thing to do. Rachel Reeves has announced that the United Kingdom Government will deliver to Wales £118 million over the next three financial years to keep coal tips safe across Wales. This is a particular issue for post-industrial communities throughout Islwyn. Coal tips remediated (as coal mining ended) face maintenance issues impacted by climate change. The Welsh Government has previously stated £600 million is needed to remediate and remove Wales's coal tips. Currently, Wales has around £221 million allocated to this endeavour, and it is a challenge that will take decades to address. My position though, remains clear. Whilst we aim to remediate and remove historic Welsh coal tips, this can NOT be achieved at the expense of Islwyn communities. I stand with the people of Cwmfelinfach in expressing my strong opposition to the removal of coal at Mynydd Y Grug in Bedwas. No private company should seek to make a financial gain at the detriment of the public usage of the much-loved and valued Sirhowy County Park. Finally, I was delighted to see a famous son of Islwyn recognised. Rugby legend John Dawes, a son of Abercarn, is among 288 people who have been added to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. John Dawes died in 2021, but his name will live forever, and his inclusion in this prestige publication acknowledges his impact within the history of the United Kingdom. Rhianon Passmore, Member of the Senedd for Islwyn.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
From ironworks to innovation in Merthyr Tydfil
From the early ironworks to 21st Century innovation, Merthyr Tydfil has always been a town in transition. While heavy industry has been and gone, Merthyr's manufacturing sector has ebbed and flowed with the changing priorities of global brands and the UK economy. There are some stalwarts of the business community who remain committed to the area, with the boss of Stephens and George printers speaking of his "pride" at employing local workers. And a decades-long renovation of the Prince Charles Hospital is now providing a route into work for young people. My town, where community spirit makes leaving hard 'Paul Weller was my Welsh hero - now we're friends' In the 19th Century, Dowlais in Merthyr had the largest ironworks in the world and helped fuel the industrial revolution. Big industries, employing thousands of people, shaped the economy. But as fortunes changed, so did the business landscape. They have been printing magazines in Dowlais for 60 years, at a company originally founded just over the hill in Aberdare a century ago. Andrew George is now at the helm, having joined the family business in the 1970s. He said: "You have to go back over a hundred years to 1912 when my father's mother's father was a Mr George. "He met a Mr Stephens in Aberdare and they created a company called Stephens and George." The company has weathered the economic storms that have swept through Merthyr and the printing industry over the past hundred years. "I have been coming to this valley for work since 1979, and the amount of change that I have seen is absolutely incredible," Mr George said. "The whole industrialised area of Merthyr is gone, there isn't any heavy industry left." While the area is no longer "an industrial heartland", Mr George said his company relied on a loyal and local workforce. He added: "We've got close to 190 people working here at the moment, and a large proportion of them come from within five miles of the factory." There is regular investment at the factory, where multi-million pound machines are bought from German specialist manufacturers every five or six years. The latest press, which is a year old, can print 21,000 sheets of magazine paper every hour at top speed. "Come here on Thursdays and it is manic," Mr George smiled. The company does a roaring trade in football and rugby programmes, which fly out of Merthyr to grounds across the UK every week. There is also investment in the workforce, though some people's expectations of the job have changed. "Since Covid," Mr George said, "people took a rain check, I think. "Trying to find the right type of youngster who wants to come and work in a factory, and do shifts, is difficult." The printing presses run all day and night, seven days a week, and he admitted: "We do find it difficult to recruit good people." Merthyr Tydfil's chimneys have been replaced with industrial estates, call centres and cutting edge military equipment. General Dynamics employs around 700 people on its armoured vehicle production line. And there is opportunity in the renovation of the town, with long-term work to modernise the Prince Charles Hospital providing construction work and opportunities for young people. Students from The College in Merthyr are getting a foot in the door with work experience on site. "In the industry we've got a huge skills shortage," said Kelly Edwards from construction firm Tilbury Douglas. "There are not enough young people taking construction as an option. Not many people are aware of the different opportunities within construction. "So it is highlighting to us, and developing, our future pipeline of workers." Carpentry student Kayla Williams, 18, said she "really enjoyed" visiting the site. "It was active. I could be hands-on. That's just what I love," she said. "I don't really like to sit down and do nothing!" Elliot Lewis-Campbell, also studying carpentry, said it was "so good to be able to watch other people who are more experienced" at the trade. "It's so informative to be able to learn from them," he added. Lewis Jones from The College in Merthyr Tydfil said the links with local construction projects were valuable. He said: "They are bringing contractors from the site down, they are doing CV talks about how to get into jobs, (sharing) interview techniques. "Learners are participating in these sessions, developing their skills and trying to get into work." Back at the printers in Dowlais, Mr George thinks his family firm can navigate any economic headwinds. "I am very proud to be able to do this. And I want to see the business continue well into the future," he said.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wales is overhauling its democracy – here's what's changing
Next May's Senedd (Welsh parliament) election won't just be another trip to the polls. It will mark a major change in how Welsh democracy works. The number of elected members is increasing from 60 to 96, and the voting system is being overhauled. These changes have now passed into law. But what exactly is changing – and why? When the then assembly was first established in 1999, it had limited powers and just 60 members. Much has changed since then and it now has increased responsibility including primary law-making powers over matters such as health, education, environment, transport and economic development. The Wales Act 2014 also bestowed a number of new financial powers on the now Senedd, including taxation and borrowing powers. But its size has stayed the same. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. This led to concerns about capacity and effectiveness. In 2017, an independent expert panel on electoral reform concluded that the Senedd was no longer fit for purpose. It warned that 60 members simply weren't enough to scrutinise the Welsh government, pass legislation and respond to constituents. A bigger chamber, it argued, would improve both the quality of lawmaking and democratic accountability. Wales also has fewer elected politicians per person than any other UK nation. Scotland has 129 MSPs, while Northern Ireland has 90 MLAs. Even with next year's changes, Wales will still have fewer elected members per citizen compared with Northern Ireland. It's a similar picture when Wales is compared with other small European nations. More Senedd members could ease workloads, improve local representation and importantly, may encourage a more diverse pool of people to stand for office. Alongside expansion will be a change in how Senedd members are elected. Since its inception, Wales has used the 'additional member system', which is a mix of first-past-the-post for constituency seats and proportional representation for regional ones. From 2026, that system will be replaced by a closed list proportional system, using the D'Hondt method. It's a system which is designed to be fairer, ensuring that the proportion of seats a party wins more closely reflects the votes they get. But it also means voters will have less say over which individuals get elected. Wales will be divided into 16 constituencies, each electing six MSs. Instead of voting for a single candidate, voters will choose one party or independent candidate. Parties will submit a list of up to eight candidates per constituency. Seats will then be allocated based on the overall share of the vote each party gets, with candidates elected in the order they appear on their party's list. For example, if a party wins a percentage share of the vote equating to three seats, the top three people on their party list will be elected. The calculation for this is defined by the D'Hondt formula. The decision to adopt this method in Wales was one of the recommendations of the special purpose committee on Senedd reform in 2022. Several countries across Europe use this system for their elections, including Spain and Portugal. In countries with small constituency sizes, D'Hondt has sometimes favoured larger parties and made it harder for smaller parties to gain ground. That's something observers in Wales will be watching closely. An alternative method, Sainte-Laguë, used in Sweden and Latvia, is often seen as more balanced in its treatment of small and medium-sized parties, potentially leading to more consensual politics. But it too has its downsides. In countries which have many smaller parties, it can lead to fragmented parliaments and make decision-making more difficult. In sum, no system is perfect. But D'Hondt was chosen for its balance between proportionality, simplicity and practicality. One concern is the growing differences between electoral systems across the UK, and even within Wales itself. At the UK level, first-past-the-post (FPTP) is the method used for Westminster elections. Meanwhile, some Welsh councils are experimenting with the single transferable vote method, which lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. So, some people in Wales could find themselves navigating three different voting systems for three different elections. Obviously, this raises the risk of confusion. Voters who are used to one vote and the 'winner takes all' nature of FPTP may be confused by how seats are allocated in Wales come 2026. With numerous different systems, the risk is that people do not fully understand how their vote translates into representation. In turn this risks undermining confidence and reducing voter turnout. Read more: Voters will need clear, accessible information on how their vote works – and why it matters. But this is particularly challenging when UK-wide media often defaults to FPTP-centric language and framing surrounding debates, which can shape public expectations. News about Wales often barely registers beyond its borders, while news about politics in Wales barely registers within. Electoral reform often prompts broader conversations. As Welsh voters adjust to the new proportional system, some may begin to question Westminster's FPTP model, especially if the Senedd better reflects the diversity of votes cast. FPTP is frequently criticised for producing 'wasted votes' and encouraging tactical voting, particularly in safe seats. Under a more proportional system, tactical voting becomes less necessary, which has the potential to shift voter habits in Wales. If the 2026 reform leads to a more representative and effective Senedd, it may not only reshape Welsh democracy, but reignite debates about electoral reform across the UK. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Stephen Clear does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
