The UK Government is announcing the immediate release of £13.5
million in funding to support supply chain businesses and workers
affected by Tata Steel's decision to transition to greener
steelmaking.
Welsh Secretary will make the announcement today (15 August) at her
second meeting as chair of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot
Transition Board.
The funding is the first release from the Tata Steel / Port
Talbot Transition Board fund, which will support local businesses
that are heavily reliant on Tata Steel as their primary customer,
allowing them to turn towards new markets and customers where
necessary.
Money will also be available to workers affected by the
transition, helping them to find new jobs, access training and
gain skills and qualifications in areas where there are
vacancies.
The Welsh Secretary will also announce today that more than 50
businesses so far have signed a pledge to support any workers
forced to leave their jobs in the steelworks.
The businesses, which include Fintech Wales, The Royal Mint,
Cardiff Metropolitan University, RWE Energy, Ledwood Mechanical
Engineering and Pro Steel Engineering, have committed practical
support for workers ranging from guaranteed interviews for anyone
made redundant, to providing training and coaching.
The Welsh Secretary will give further details of the business
pledge while visiting Rototherm in Port Talbot on Thursday. The
company is a leading global manufacturer of measurement devices
for temperature and pressure. It is one of the firms in Tata's
supply chain likely to be affected by the transition to electric
arc steelmaking.
The UK Government has also reset the relationship with the Welsh
Government, as well as with unions and other local partners, to
work together to deliver for the workers
affected.
Negotiations between the UK Government and Tata Steel regarding
the future of the Port Talbot works will continue
separately.
Welsh Secretary said:
Under this government the Transition Board has moved from
discussion to delivery. Today's release of an initial £13.5m in
funding demonstrates that we will act decisively to support
workers and businesses in Port Talbot, working with Welsh
Government, unions and the wider community.
Negotiations with Tata Steel on the future of the site will
continue separately. But this government will not wait for a
crisis to overtake us before acting. We are putting a safety net
in place now to ensure we can back workers and businesses,
whatever happens.
We are also harnessing the generosity of the local community,
with dozens of employers so far pledging practical support for
workers. Steelmaking is the lifeblood of communities in Wales,
but so too is the support of local businesses. What they are
offering will make a real difference to suppliers and staff.
Business and Trade Secretary said:
This funding is an important step towards supporting workers
affected by Tata Steel's transition and businesses in the wider
supply chain.
We're working in partnership with trade unions and industry to
secure a green steel transition that's right for the economy, our
talented workforce and local communities for generations to come,
and our negotiations with Tata remain ongoing.
Oliver Conger, Managing Director of Rototherm, said:
We are part of a really supportive community in Port Talbot, and
we are delighted to offer help to any affected workers at Tata
Steel and any suppliers affected.
I believe that if businesses like ours from across the area can
come together, we can offer a lot of practical support that will
make a big difference to people and the impacted supply chain.
More details will be released soon on how local businesses and
affected workers can access the initial £13.5m
Transition Board funding.
The Secretary of State for Wales also made it clear the
Transition Board will now be an equal partnership between
political representatives, business and unions.
