Tata supply chain part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Wales visit
Tata supply chain part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Wales visit
Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant will feature as one of the main agendas for Prime Minister Theresa May’s Wales visit.
The PM is expected to stress the need to find a buyer for the plant, which has been going through tumultuous times, as well as put actions in to motion to secure its role the supply chain.
If the future of the plant is not secured, then a significant number of jobs are at risk. Thousands of people are directly employed by the plant, while many others are indirectly dependent on it through its supply chain.
“My Government is committed to helping the steel industry secure a long-term viable future in Wales,” May said.
“The steel industry is vital to the UK and we will do everything we can to look after the workers and wider community as we work with Tata and the Welsh government,” she added.
May is on a post-Brexit offensive to stem anxiety and uncertainty as she charts the way forward in regards to the country’s exit path from the EU. She has already held talks with Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, and her meeting with the Welsh FM, Carywin Jones, is scheduled for today (18th July).
In another development, political leaders from Northern England are pushing to be included in post-Brexit talks.
Led by Greater Manchester's Mayor, Tony Lloyd, the leaders of Sheffield, Liverpool, the North-East and West Yorkshire wrote to PM May expressing their interest to be included in the negotiations.
“The North of England has a population greater than London and almost three times that of Scotland. Our economy is significantly larger than Wales' or Scotland’s,” writes Mr Lloyd.
“Accordingly, we would like to invite you to meet with us at your earliest convenience to discuss our role within the Brexit negotiations and how we can work together for the benefit of the North,” he added.
