Connect with us

Published

on

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed his government will do “everything we can” to preserve jobs at the steelworks in Port Talbot.

The prime minister was visiting South Wales, the region where the site is based, to walk around Alltwalis wind farm with the new First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan.

The pair have been showcasing the government’s climate credentials in the region, which Sir Keir said would reap the benefits from GB Energy, the state-owned company the government has launched to help develop future offshore wind projects.

But the embrace of the green agenda has sparked concerns of job losses at Port Talbot, the country’s largest steelworks that is moving over to a greener form of steel production which requires fewer workers.

Asked about the redundancies, which could total 2,800, the prime minister said the government would do “everything we can” to help workers.

Politics latest: Fresh talks to be held over rail pay

Asked whether he risked giving “false hope” to workers in the town, he replied: “No. We’re working really hard on this, both the first minister and myself jointly on this, because it’s so important that we do everything we can to preserve those jobs.

More from Politics

“We were working on this when I was in opposition – we’ve turbocharged that since we’ve been in power.

“Of course it’s difficult, I think everybody understands that.

Keir Starmer and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan during a visit to Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, a clean energy site in Pencader.
Pic: PA
Image:
Sir Keir Starmer and Eluned Morgan during a visit to Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, a clean energy site in Pencader.
Pic: PA

“We’ve been able to put some money down just in the last week or so, particularly with the supply chain side of it, but we will do everything we can to preserve those jobs.”

Last week the government announced £13.5m in support to help businesses affected by the Tata Steel redundancies.

The package is designed to support businesses that rely on Tata Steel as their main customer, while the money will also be used to help workers who have been made redundant by giving them access to training and qualifications in sectors where there are job vacancies.

Negotiations between the government and Tata Steel regarding the future of the Port Talbot plant – where the workforce currently accounts for 12% of the coastal town’s entire population – will continue separately.

Earlier this year, Tata confirmed it would press ahead with plans to close blast furnaces and replace them with electric arc furnaces under its plan to reduce emissions and costs.

It said the move will cut carbon emissions by about 85% and the UK’s overall CO2 output by about 1.5%. The Port Talbot site is the UK’s single largest emitter of CO2.

Read more:
Scottish government suspends meetings with Israel

Giving workers right to switch off could boost economy – No 10

Sir Keir’s visit to South Wales comes at the same time the government approved an increase in passengers from 6.5 million to 9 million at London City Airport – prompting criticism from environmental campaigners.

Labour has said there is “no conflict in terms of national policy” on air quality.

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to securing the long-term future of the aviation sector in the UK while protecting our environmental obligations.

“In line with the recommendation of the independent inspectors, ministers have jointly approved a planning appeal submitted by London City Airport.”

Continue Reading

Politics

US government poised to shut down: Will it affect crypto market structure bill?

Published

on

By

US government poised to shut down: Will it affect crypto market structure bill?

US government poised to shut down: Will it affect crypto market structure bill?

A US government shutdown lasting days or weeks could further delay the Senate’s moves on a crypto market structure bill passed by the House in July.

Continue Reading

Politics

Can Rachel Reeves clamber out of the black hole?

Published

on

By

Can Rachel Reeves clamber out of the black hole?

👉Listen to Politics At Sam And Anne’s on your podcast app👈

Rachel Reeves gets her moment in Liverpool, but Sam and Anne explain why the podium at Labour conference might be the second biggest thing of her week.

By Friday, the OBR will have put a number on the size of the black hole – the money she’s got to find to fund U-turns on policies such as winter fuel.

You’re not getting that number from anyone from government in Liverpool though.

Elsewhere, Andy Burnham is still in lots of the conversations – and we hear what members of the cabinet are getting about him in their WhatsApps.

Continue Reading

Politics

Poland advances strict crypto bill, sparking public backlash

Published

on

By

Poland advances strict crypto bill, sparking public backlash

Poland advances strict crypto bill, sparking public backlash

Poland’s Crypto-Asset Market Act awaits Senate review after Sejm approval, sparking a backlash over licensing, fines and potential prison terms for violations.

Continue Reading

Trending