18 January 2024 , 08:50
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Steelworker unions are set to have talks with Tata, the industry giant, today about the future of the company.
There are fears of job cuts, especially in Port Talbot, South Wales, because the company wants to make steel in a cleaner way to help the environment and stop losing money. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs from the GMB union said there is a way to avoid the job cuts.
She said: "Our position remains any compulsory job losses are wholly avoidable and the people of South Wales, as well as the industry as a whole, deserve the support and consideration that our plan outlines." Jonathan Reynolds, who looks after business and trade for Labour, said: "The Conservative Government has pushed a plan that uses millions of taxpayers' money only to make thousands of people redundant and leave us unable to produce primary steel in the UK."
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He added "What the Government offered was never a serious plan for the long term for our steel industry. It is yet another sticking plaster from a Government living crisis to crisis unable to take a long-term view. Labour knows that the British steel industry can have a bright future and we have a cast-iron commitment to the steel industry.
Fears for 800 British Steel jobs amid siren warnings for industry's future
"We have earmarked up to £3 billion for investment in green steel alongside industry, working with steel communities to ensure the transition to green steel comes with jobs. While the Conservatives scramble around for last-minute deals, Labour will make long-term investments through our industrial strategy to protect British jobs, safeguard our national capabilities and create jobs rather than throw British steelworkers on the scrapheap."
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