Government minister accused of avoiding engagement with steelworkers
Industry minister Alan Mak has visited four steel plants this week, saying the Government is backing the sector.
A Government minister has been accused of “avoiding” engagement with workers during recent visits to steel plants.
Industry minister Alan Mak travelled to four sites, including Port Talbot in South Wales, where jobs are set to be lost as owner Tata moves to produce steel in a more environmentally friendly way.
Mr Mak spent three hours in Port Talbot and also visited Celsa Steel in Cardiff and British Steel plants in the North East.
He said in a statement that the Government is backing the UK steel industry for the long term.
He was given a tour of the site of the proposed new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot, which will replace existing coal-powered blast furnaces.
“We’ve had a long succession of steel ministers under the Conservatives: we’re now on our 13th since 2010. That’s resulted in a woeful lack of leadership and direction for the industry in tumultuous times.
“Amidst the ministerial merry-go-round there’s been one constant feature – a Government which sees steel as a problem to get off its desk, rather than the base for an advanced industrial strategy for the future.
“The minister had the audacity to trumpet the Government’s deal with Tata during his whistle-stop visit to Port Talbot this week.
“This bargain-basement deal will leave the UK as an outlier in the G20 as the only country unable to make its own primary steel. It will mean exporting jobs and importing dirty steel, with a devastating impact on the local community. No wonder the minister didn’t want to stick around to hear the truth.”
Tata insists its plans for Port Talbot will secure the plant’s future and avoid even heavier job losses.
