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Port Talbot Tata Steel: Assembly recalled amid crisis | Port Talbot Tata Steel: Assembly recalled amid crisis |
(35 minutes later) | |
The assembly has been recalled on Monday to discuss the future of the Port Talbot steelworks, where thousands of jobs are at risk. | The assembly has been recalled on Monday to discuss the future of the Port Talbot steelworks, where thousands of jobs are at risk. |
It comes after Tata Steel said it wanted to sell its loss-making UK business. | It comes after Tata Steel said it wanted to sell its loss-making UK business. |
The Indian firm said it would "explore all options", including "divestment". | The Indian firm said it would "explore all options", including "divestment". |
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "We will support any viable option to ensure the future of the Welsh steel industry." | First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "We will support any viable option to ensure the future of the Welsh steel industry." |
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns told BBC Wales it was a "sensitive matter", but "every option" to save the plant was being explored by the UK government. | Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns told BBC Wales it was a "sensitive matter", but "every option" to save the plant was being explored by the UK government. |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was expected to visit the Port Talbot site later on Wednesday, while UK Business Secretary Sajid Javid is heading back from Australia to visit the town. | |
Management buy-out | Management buy-out |
Politicians from all parties have urged ministers to step in amid fears Tata could shut its UK plants before a buyer can be found. | |
Tata Steel finance director Koushik Chatterjee confirmed on Wednesday the firm had rejected a rescue plan submitted by the unions, saying: "We found that risks to the plan are very significant." | Tata Steel finance director Koushik Chatterjee confirmed on Wednesday the firm had rejected a rescue plan submitted by the unions, saying: "We found that risks to the plan are very significant." |
Speaking outside the Port Talbot plant, Mr Jones said: "If there is a management buy-out that's on the table, we will look to support that. | Speaking outside the Port Talbot plant, Mr Jones said: "If there is a management buy-out that's on the table, we will look to support that. |
"We will work with the UK government to support that - we want to make sure that the Welsh steel industry continues and works towards the future." | |
Presiding Officer Dame Rosemary Butler accepted a request from Mr Jones that the assembly - currently in Easter recess - be recalled on Monday to discuss the crisis. | Presiding Officer Dame Rosemary Butler accepted a request from Mr Jones that the assembly - currently in Easter recess - be recalled on Monday to discuss the crisis. |
Members had not been due to return to the Senedd until after the election in May. | Members had not been due to return to the Senedd until after the election in May. |
The usual Senedd chamber is undergoing refurbishment, so instead AMs will meet in the old debating chamber in the Ty Hywel office block. | |
Meanwhile an evidence gathering meeting of the business and enterprise committee on the steel industry is to be held on Monday. | |
It follows a request by William Graham, the committee's chairman and an outgoing Conservative AM. | |
Members of Tata Steel management, UK Business Minister Anna Soubry and Welsh Government economy minister Edwina Hart, are among those to be invited to give evidence. | |
Bail out | Bail out |
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay, called for the UK government to be prepared to take a temporary stake in the Port Talbot steelworks. | Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay, called for the UK government to be prepared to take a temporary stake in the Port Talbot steelworks. |
He said: "In recent years we have offered significant support to the banking sector because we all recognised its importance to the wider economy. | He said: "In recent years we have offered significant support to the banking sector because we all recognised its importance to the wider economy. |
"Now we must be prepared to offer similar support to secure the future of our steel industry - even if that means taking a temporary stake in Tata Steel in Port Talbot." | "Now we must be prepared to offer similar support to secure the future of our steel industry - even if that means taking a temporary stake in Tata Steel in Port Talbot." |
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams also called for temporary renationalisation to save the Port Talbot plant, saying: "Many of our communities strongly rely on this industry. We must stand up for them, learn lessons from the past, and take strong action now." | Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams also called for temporary renationalisation to save the Port Talbot plant, saying: "Many of our communities strongly rely on this industry. We must stand up for them, learn lessons from the past, and take strong action now." |
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood told BBC News: "This industry is as important to Wales, I would argue, as the banking sector is to the whole of the UK. | Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood told BBC News: "This industry is as important to Wales, I would argue, as the banking sector is to the whole of the UK. |
"If the banks could be bailed out, then the steel industry should be bailed out too." | "If the banks could be bailed out, then the steel industry should be bailed out too." |
The actor Michael Sheen, who comes from Port Talbot, also highlighted government backing for banks. | The actor Michael Sheen, who comes from Port Talbot, also highlighted government backing for banks. |
Writing for The Guardian, he said: "I hope that we can see as much support for the steel industry and its workers now that they face their time of greatest need." | Writing for The Guardian, he said: "I hope that we can see as much support for the steel industry and its workers now that they face their time of greatest need." |
However, UKIP Wales leader Nathan Gill claimed "the shackles of restrictive EU regulations" prevented a "democratic UK government" from tackling the problem of high energy costs. | However, UKIP Wales leader Nathan Gill claimed "the shackles of restrictive EU regulations" prevented a "democratic UK government" from tackling the problem of high energy costs. |
"Who would buy an industry like this now? Nobody would," he added. | "Who would buy an industry like this now? Nobody would," he added. |
UK Business Minister Ms Soubry said the UK government was looking at all options to save the Port Talbot plant, including taking a stake in the business. | |
Analysis by Nick Servini, BBC Wales political editor | Analysis by Nick Servini, BBC Wales political editor |
The key question is whether the Welsh Government can do something other than providing the usual level of support for regeneration and training for workers who have lost their jobs. | The key question is whether the Welsh Government can do something other than providing the usual level of support for regeneration and training for workers who have lost their jobs. |
The Scottish Government recently bought two mothballed steel plants in Lanarkshire from Tata before selling them to a private company on the same day. | The Scottish Government recently bought two mothballed steel plants in Lanarkshire from Tata before selling them to a private company on the same day. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones has said he'd consider something like that but admits there are major differences in the scale. | First Minister Carwyn Jones has said he'd consider something like that but admits there are major differences in the scale. |
The buy-out in Scotland will secure about 200 jobs. We are now talking about thousands, and the future of the biggest steel plant in Britain. | The buy-out in Scotland will secure about 200 jobs. We are now talking about thousands, and the future of the biggest steel plant in Britain. |
Read more from Nick | Read more from Nick |