Watch: Man attacked by bear at steel works in Japan: The bear, who injured four people in the attack on Tuesday, remains on the loose within the factory compound. #BearAttack #WildlifeSafety #JapanNews #SteelWorks #BearSightings

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PORT TALBOT: Government vows to “do whatever it takes” to protect steel jobs — but critics warn over end of traditional steelmaking

A major new Steel Strategy has been unveiled during a visit to Port Talbot, with ministers promising tougher trade rules, billions in investment and a push to increase the amount of steel made in Britain.

At the centre of the plan is a target for 50% of all steel used in the UK to be made domestically — up from around 30% — with the Government saying Welsh producers are expected to play a major role.

That includes Tata Steel operations in Port Talbot, Llanelli, Shotton and Newport, as well as 7Steel in Cardiff.

The UK Government says it will also crack down on cheap imports.

From July, steel import quotas would be cut by 60%, with anything above those limits facing a 50% tariff.

Ministers argue the move will stop British steel being undercut — a long-standing complaint from workers and industry leaders in South Wales.

But the strategy has already sparked debate about what kind of steel industry the UK is actually protecting.

While ministers are backing domestic production, the plans also confirm a continued shift away from traditional blast furnaces towards electric arc furnaces, like the one being built in Port Talbot.

These use recycled scrap metal rather than raw materials — a move the Government says is key to cutting emissions and modernising the industry.

However, critics warn that transition could come at a cost.

They argue electric arc furnaces cannot always produce the same specialist grades of steel needed for defence and major infrastructure, raising concerns about long-term capability.

There are also fears the UK could become more reliant on imported materials — even as ministers move to restrict finished steel imports.

Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary, said steelmaking was “vital” to the UK’s future.

He said: “Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy.

“With this strategy we are closing the decades-long chapter of destructive de-industrialisation and committing instead to strengthening and sustaining Britain as a steel-making nation.”

The Government says the strategy is backed by major investment, including £5.8 billion through the National Wealth Fund for priority industries such as steel.

That builds on more than £600 million already committed to Port Talbot, alongside plans to unlock up to £2.5 billion in further funding during this Parliament.

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said the plans showed ministers were standing firmly behind Welsh industry.

She said: “The UK Government is standing up for Welsh steelmaking and showing that we will do whatever it takes to boost domestic steel production and protect the thousands of steelmaking jobs in our communities.

“Welsh steel is expected to account for half of future UK steelmaking… Welsh steelmaking now has a secure and bright future.”

The strategy also includes measures to lower energy costs, prioritise UK-made steel in public projects and strengthen links with sectors like offshore wind, defence and infrastructure.

A new working group will also look at securing long-term supplies of scrap metal — a key part of the shift towards electric arc production.

The move comes after years of uncertainty for the industry, with global competition, rising costs and the transition to greener production putting pressure on steelmaking communities across South Wales.

Ministers insist imports will still play a role, but say the new rules are designed to strike a balance between protecting domestic producers and maintaining supply.

However, with the industry undergoing one of its biggest transformations in decades, questions remain over whether the strategy will truly secure the long-term future of steelmaking in Wales — or simply reshape it.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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Tata Steel to halt production at Port Talbot and Llanelli over Christmas amid weak demand

Longer stoppages than usual

In a message to 6,000 staff, Tata Steel UK chief executive Rajesh Nair said production pauses at the Port Talbot hot strip mill and the Trostre tinplate works in Llanelli will run far longer than the usual two‑week Christmas shutdown.

• At Port Talbot, the stoppage will begin on 8 December and last until 8 January.
• At Trostre, production will halt from 1 December until 8 January.

The company said it would work with unions, suppliers and customers to manage the impact, but admitted the extended closures were necessary to “responsibly adapt to current market challenges.”

Jobs and exports under pressure

The announcement comes just weeks after Tata urged UK ministers to act over the EU’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on steel imports while cutting tariff‑free volumes almost in half. Around a third of Tata Steel UK’s output is exported to the EU, making the bloc a critical market for South Wales steel.

Industry leaders have warned that without a carve‑out deal, Welsh plants could face a double hit: weaker domestic demand and reduced access to European buyers. UK Steel director general Gareth Stace has cautioned that “the last country to put up trade defences will be the first country to de‑industrialise.”

Port Talbot’s transition and Llanelli’s future

The stoppages come as Tata begins work on its £1.25bn green steel plan at Port Talbot, which will see the site transition from blast furnaces to an electric arc furnace by 2027. While the investment is designed to secure long‑term production, it also means Tata will increasingly import slab and coil from its operations in India and the Netherlands during the transition.

At Trostre in Llanelli, which produces tinplate for food and drinks packaging, unions have already voiced concern that EU tariffs could undermine exports and threaten jobs. As Swansea Bay News has reported, Plaid Cymru MSs have called for the UK to rejoin the single market to safeguard Welsh steel, while industry figures are pressing for tougher UK import quotas to prevent a flood of cheaper steel from China and Turkey.

A critical moment for Welsh steel

The wider industry is warning that global overcapacity — forecast by the OECD to reach 721 million tonnes by 2027 — risks flooding the UK market with subsidised imports. Cardiff‑based 7 Steel, which operates an electric arc furnace, has joined calls for the UK Government to negotiate country‑specific EU quotas and introduce stronger domestic safeguards.

For workers in Port Talbot and Llanelli, the immediate concern is the impact of a five‑week shutdown over Christmas. While Tata insists the measures are temporary, unions and local leaders will be watching closely to see whether the combination of weak demand and looming tariffs signals deeper challenges ahead for Wales’s steel heartlands.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Tata Steel begins new project at Port Talbot in £1.25bn green plan
Work has started on the transition to electric arc furnace technology as part of Tata’s £1.25bn investment in greener steelmaking.

EU’s 50% steel tariffs spark fears for Tata jobs in Port Talbot and Llanelli
Industry leaders warn new EU tariffs could hit Welsh steel exports hard, threatening jobs at key South Wales plants.

Plaid MS calls for UK to rejoin single market as EU steel tariffs loom
Political pressure grows as Plaid Cymru urges the UK Government to secure market access to protect Welsh steel communities.

#industry #Llanelli #PortTalbot #PortTalbotSteelworks #RajeshNair #steelProduction #steelworks #TataSteel #TataSteelworks #TrostreTinplateWorks #UKSteel

One year on: Council leader hails resilience after Port Talbot blast furnace closure

Cllr Steve Hunt said the end of primary steelmaking in the town had been a “seismic change” for the area, but stressed that support schemes and local determination had helped many adapt to life after the furnaces fell silent.

A year since the furnaces went cold

On 30 September 2024, Port Talbot’s last blast furnace was shut down, ending more than a century of traditional steelmaking in the town. At its peak, the site employed around 20,000 people, but by the time of closure the workforce had fallen to around 4,000. Tata Steel said the furnaces were losing around £1 million a day, citing high energy costs, ageing assets and competition from cheaper imports.

The decision brought 2,800 direct job losses, with unions warning that thousands more in the supply chain could be at risk. For a community built around heavy industry, the closure was described as “life‑changing” and sparked fears of long‑term decline.

Yet, one year on, the council leader says the picture is more complex. “Many affected workers have used the Employment & Skills Fund to move forward with their careers, some into entirely new fields of work or even emerging industries such as AI,” said Cllr Hunt. “Others have started their own businesses or diversified existing ones. It has been inspiring to see how our communities have responded to the challenges this has brought.”

Support and adaptation

To soften the blow, the UK Government pledged £80 million in transition funding, delivered locally through a series of support schemes. These included retraining programmes, grants for supply‑chain businesses, start‑up support for new ventures, and resilience funding for firms looking to diversify. Mental health services were also expanded, with organisations such as NPT Mind offering counselling and wellbeing programmes in schools.

According to figures presented to the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board, the funds have already helped dozens of businesses and thousands of individuals. More than 3,600 training courses have been completed, over 300 people have found new jobs, and nearly 600 Tata employees have been redeployed within the company. Despite the scale of the redundancies, council leaders say there has not been a significant spike in unemployment locally.

Looking to the future

While the closure of the blast furnaces marked the end of an era, Tata Steel has committed to building a new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot by 2027–28, backed by £500 million of UK Government funding. The move is expected to slash carbon emissions and secure a future for steelmaking in the town, albeit with a smaller workforce.

Alongside this, the SWITCH research facility at Port Talbot Harbourside and the Celtic Freeport project are being hailed as signs of a new industrial chapter. “These developments will see a new place for steelmaking which, alongside major projects such as the Celtic Freeport, give us cause for optimism as we adapt to what has been a seismic change for the whole area,” said Cllr Hunt.

A community in transition

For many in Port Talbot, the past year has been one of uncertainty and adjustment. Community groups have reported a dip in morale, but also a determination to find new opportunities. The council leader insists that the support on offer is making a difference and urged anyone affected to seek help.

“Change on this scale is never easy,” he said. “But the resilience of our people and the willingness of businesses to adapt shows that Port Talbot has a future beyond the blast furnaces.”

Further details of the support schemes are available at www.npt.gov.uk/tatatransition.

Related articles

• Former Tata Steel researcher retrains in AI thanks to expanded funding scheme

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• New Employment & Skills Fund to support Tata Steel UK and supply chain workers in Wales

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• Tata Steel signs contract for green steelmaking technology

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Work begins on Port Talbot electric arc furnace as steelworks transition moves forward

Construction has begun on Tata Steel’s £1.25bn electric arc furnace (EAF) in Port Talbot, marking a major milestone in Wales’ industrial transformation—but it comes with the loss of more than 2,800 jobs and the end of traditional steelmaking in the town.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, and Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran formally broke ground at the steelworks site on Monday (14 July), signalling the start of a project designed to cut carbon emissions by 90% and shift production toward recycled scrap steel.

The UK Government has committed £500 million toward the EAF, describing it as “a major win” for Welsh steelmaking that secures 5,000 jobs nationwide. The new furnace will replace the site’s two blast furnaces—shut down in September 2024—ending a century of primary steelmaking in Wales.

‘Bitter sweet’ day for steelworkers and families

The announcement has been widely described as bittersweet. While Tata and ministers hailed the start of a cleaner, greener future, union representatives and local leaders stressed the impact of the redundancies and the uncertainty still facing thousands of workers.

Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid of Community Union 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… Going forward we must see further investment to develop and grow the business, both here in Port Talbot and across all the crucial downstream sites.”

Speaking ahead of the groundbreaking, First Minister Eluned Morgan said the construction phase represents “a tangible sign” of Tata’s commitment, adding that the Welsh Government is working with partners to support affected workers and promote economic resilience.

Former steelworker Graham Rowland said:

“I’ve seen good boys lose their jobs… This industry kept this town alive. It’s the heart and soul of the place. If anywhere can make that arc work, it’s Port Talbot. The knowledge, the grit, the people—it’s all here. We just need the right support.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Job losses confirmed as Tata Steel sets timetable for blast furnace closures
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Port Talbot regeneration fund launched to support steelworker transition
Details funding pledged to support displaced workers and local communities.

Celtic Freeport: what it means for the local economy and green infrastructure
Examines future investment opportunities connected to Port Talbot’s green transition.

EAF: cleaner steel, fewer emissions—but far fewer jobs

Tata Steel says the new furnace is essential to achieving climate targets and creating “a financially and environmentally sustainable future.” The company has reported losses of £4bn in Port Talbot since 2007.

Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said:

“This is a proud day for the Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. 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.”

The new furnace will be built on the site of the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant and is set to be one of the largest of its kind globally, capable of producing up to three million tonnes of steel per year. Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed to deliver the build, which will also include a new scrap processing plant.

Operations are expected to begin in late 2027. In the meantime, Port Talbot will continue to roll imported steel slabs through its hot strip mill and finishing lines.

Supporting workers through the transition

Neath Port Talbot Council and the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board have pledged over £100 million to support workers, businesses and community recovery. This includes:

• A £19.8 million Employment and Skills Fund
• A £21.2 million investment in Harbourside manufacturing and skills facilities
• A £13 million business start-up and resilience programme
• Additional community grants targeting financial hardship, mental health and career retraining

A recent survey by Public Health Wales found that 74% of local households expect to face financial pressure in the coming months, with food, energy, and housing cited as key concerns.

Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt said:

“On behalf of the Transition Board, Neath Port Talbot Council is delivering targeted support to people and businesses both within Neath Port Talbot and further afield.”

Looking ahead

While the shift to EAF production represents a landmark shift in Welsh industry, many argue the transformation must be judged not just by its carbon savings, but by the long-term outcomes for workers, communities and supply chains.

Luke Fletcher MS, Economy spokesperson for Plaid Cymru and Senedd Member for South Wales West, said the start of construction is “welcome,” but warned that “the opportunity has been lost to safeguard over 2,000 primary steelmaking jobs.”

“Labour has promised a lot to the communities in and around Port Talbot,” he said, “it’s vital that those promises are realised now.”

Swansea Bay News will continue to follow developments across Port Talbot and the steel sector as this historic transition unfolds.

#CllrSteveHunt #CommunityUnion #electricArcFurnace #ElunedMorganMS #featured #LukeFletcherMS #NatarajanChandrasekaran #PortTalbot #PortTalbotSteelworks #steelworks #TataSteel