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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| 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." |
| Downing Street said it had no plans to recall Parliament to discuss the steel crisis, despite a request from UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. | |
| 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. | 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, but Mr Javid said nationalisation is not the solution. | |
| 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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| But UK Government Business Secretary Sajid Javid, speaking in Australia, said: "I don't think that nationalisation is going to be the solution." | |
| "There are buyers out there. It might require some kind of government support. We are more than ready to look at all ways that we can provide commercial support to really secure the long term future of steel making in Port Talbot." | |
| 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 |