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Tata steel: Port Talbot faces 750 job losses Tata steel: Port Talbot faces 750 of 1,050 job losses
(35 minutes later)
More than 1,000 jobs are to go at Tata steel plants, mostly in south Wales. More than 1,000 jobs are to go at Tata Steel plants, mostly in south Wales.
Tata said 750 jobs would go in Port Talbot, while 200 support staff elsewhere would be axed and another 100 losses would be shared across sites in Llanelli, Corby and Hartlepool. Tata said 750 jobs would go in Port Talbot, while 200 support staff elsewhere would be axed.
Another 100 losses would include 15 at Trostre, Llanelli along with jobs going at Hartlepool in north east England and at Corby, Northamptonshire.
It said "tough actions are critical in the face of extremely difficult market conditions".It said "tough actions are critical in the face of extremely difficult market conditions".
First Minister Carwyn Jones described the job cuts as a "devastating blow" to the community and the wider economy.
Karl Koehler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "I know this news will be unsettling for all those affected, but these tough actions are critical in the face of extremely difficult market conditions which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.Karl Koehler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: "I know this news will be unsettling for all those affected, but these tough actions are critical in the face of extremely difficult market conditions which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
"We need the European Commission to accelerate its response to unfairly traded imports and increase the robustness of its actions. Not doing so threatens the future of the entire European steel industry."We need the European Commission to accelerate its response to unfairly traded imports and increase the robustness of its actions. Not doing so threatens the future of the entire European steel industry.
"And while we welcome progress on UK energy costs, the (UK) government must take urgent action to increase the competitiveness of the UK for its vital steel sector."And while we welcome progress on UK energy costs, the (UK) government must take urgent action to increase the competitiveness of the UK for its vital steel sector.
"This includes lowering business rates and supporting energy efficiency and anti-dumping cases so we can compete fairly.""This includes lowering business rates and supporting energy efficiency and anti-dumping cases so we can compete fairly."
He said Tata had invested £1.5bn in its UK operations but needed all stakeholders to "do their utmost to meet the unprecedented challenges the steel sector is facing."He said Tata had invested £1.5bn in its UK operations but needed all stakeholders to "do their utmost to meet the unprecedented challenges the steel sector is facing."
The prime minister's official spokesman has said it is "a worrying time for the workforce". First Minister Carwyn Jones described the job cuts as a "devastating blow" to the community and the wider economy.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We'll work very closely with the company, with the local communities to do everything we can, to get people the training and the assistance they need.
"And we'll continue to help the steel industry."
Earlier, Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss called for "meaningful action" from the UK government.Earlier, Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss called for "meaningful action" from the UK government.
Tata employs 4,000 people at Port Talbot and more than 6,000 in Wales.Tata employs 4,000 people at Port Talbot and more than 6,000 in Wales.
The job losses announced on Monday also included cuts at Hartlepool in north east England and at Corby, Northamptonshire.
Thousands of industry jobs have already been lost in Scotland and England, with the focus now turning to Wales.Thousands of industry jobs have already been lost in Scotland and England, with the focus now turning to Wales.
Cheap Chinese imports, a strong pound and high energy costs have been called "a perfect storm" for the UK steel industry.Cheap Chinese imports, a strong pound and high energy costs have been called "a perfect storm" for the UK steel industry.
Mr Rickhuss added: "The dumping of cheap Chinese steel is one of the biggest causes of this crisis, yet the UK government remains a cheerleader for China and their bid for 'market economy status', which would decimate what's left of our steel industry. This cannot be allowed to happen."Mr Rickhuss added: "The dumping of cheap Chinese steel is one of the biggest causes of this crisis, yet the UK government remains a cheerleader for China and their bid for 'market economy status', which would decimate what's left of our steel industry. This cannot be allowed to happen."
But he called for long-term commitment to steel making in the UK from Tata after "significant sacrifices" from its workforce.But he called for long-term commitment to steel making in the UK from Tata after "significant sacrifices" from its workforce.
Analysis by Brian Meechan, BBC Wales business correspondentAnalysis by Brian Meechan, BBC Wales business correspondent
Tata has been part of the scene in Port Talbot for decades. It is the biggest plant in the UK, providing well paid jobs that are difficult to replace. For every job in the steelworks, it is estimated another four jobs in the local economy are supported. The steelworks have been part of the scene in Port Talbot for decades. It is the biggest plant in the UK, providing well paid jobs that are difficult to replace. For every job in the steelworks, it is estimated another four jobs in the local economy are supported.
This is more bad news for a company and an industry that has been struggling and a workforce that has put a lot in, in recent years, to try to make Tata competitive. This is another bitter blow for the Tata plant and an industry that has been struggling and a workforce that has put a lot in, in recent years, to try to make Tata competitive.
But it is fighting against global forces including cheap imports from China. The UK government has put in measures recently to deal with high energy costs but the industry has been calling for these for four or five years.But it is fighting against global forces including cheap imports from China. The UK government has put in measures recently to deal with high energy costs but the industry has been calling for these for four or five years.
The steel industry has not really recovered from the financial crash in 2008 when at its height people stopped buying white goods, cars, and construction stopped. We talk a lot about dumping but it is cheaper to produce steel in China and that is not going to change.The steel industry has not really recovered from the financial crash in 2008 when at its height people stopped buying white goods, cars, and construction stopped. We talk a lot about dumping but it is cheaper to produce steel in China and that is not going to change.
Tata have invested quite heavily in Port Talbot with the new blast furnace in particular and also in the workforce and it has been quite patient.Tata have invested quite heavily in Port Talbot with the new blast furnace in particular and also in the workforce and it has been quite patient.
But ultimately the concern is that patience will eventually run out. We are looking at a meeting at Tata headquarters in India in a few weeks time and the company will look at the proposals made by Tata UK and may think that is a best case scenario and does not go far enough.But ultimately the concern is that patience will eventually run out. We are looking at a meeting at Tata headquarters in India in a few weeks time and the company will look at the proposals made by Tata UK and may think that is a best case scenario and does not go far enough.
Why is the Port Talbot steelworks so important?Why is the Port Talbot steelworks so important?
Steel job losses: Reaction to 'devastating blow'Steel job losses: Reaction to 'devastating blow'
Tata Steel Europe, which employs 17,000 in the UK, is in the throes of a wide-scale reorganisation of its business.Tata Steel Europe, which employs 17,000 in the UK, is in the throes of a wide-scale reorganisation of its business.
It currently puts £200m a year into the Welsh economy in wages.It currently puts £200m a year into the Welsh economy in wages.
Andy Richards, Unite Wales secretary, said steel "runs through the heart of the Welsh economy".Andy Richards, Unite Wales secretary, said steel "runs through the heart of the Welsh economy".
He added: "Job losses on this scale will reverberate through the supply chain, communities and associated industries across Wales."He added: "Job losses on this scale will reverberate through the supply chain, communities and associated industries across Wales."
The Federation of Small Business described the losses as a "a hammer blow".The Federation of Small Business described the losses as a "a hammer blow".
What is Tata Steel?What is Tata Steel?
Tata Steel employs more than 80,000 people worldwide and is part of the wider Tata Group, an Indian conglomerate.Tata Steel employs more than 80,000 people worldwide and is part of the wider Tata Group, an Indian conglomerate.
Founded more than 100 years ago, it has grown into a global producer with operations in 26 countries and revenue of around £15bn last year.Founded more than 100 years ago, it has grown into a global producer with operations in 26 countries and revenue of around £15bn last year.
It became Europe's second largest steel producer, and the biggest in the UK, after it bought Corus, formerly British Steel, for £8bn in 2007.It became Europe's second largest steel producer, and the biggest in the UK, after it bought Corus, formerly British Steel, for £8bn in 2007.
Tata also has plants in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and south east Asia.Tata also has plants in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and south east Asia.
The steel it produces is used to make a huge range of products, from cars to office furniture and battery cases.The steel it produces is used to make a huge range of products, from cars to office furniture and battery cases.