Reacting to the announcement by the UK government that it will grant Tata Steel £500m towards the cost of building a greener electric furnace in Port Talbot, but that around 2,800 workers are set to be made redundant, Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said:
“This is the first test of the new Labour government’s commitment to a just green transition that protects jobs and the environment – and it has been found wanting.
“I’ve spoken with countless families around Port Talbot who have shared with me their distress and fears for the future, not just those directly employed but in the wider supply chain.
“Labour promised a new approach during the General Election. It raised hopes across the steel industry – here in South Wales and in the North East of England – that the necessary and urgent move to cleaner production methods could be achieved without devastating communities.
“We know only too well how mining communities suffered when successive Tory governments shut pits without plans in place for new jobs. Labour should have learnt those lessons.
“The private companies are to get huge taxpayer subsidies without any guarantees that they will protect and create skilled, well-paid, secure jobs for the future.
“The Green Party knows that can be achieved. Our steel communities need the long-term commitment and political will that this Labour government lacks.
“By 2030, the European Union is expected to be home to nearly 50 green and low-carbon steel projects, facilitated by governments working together to deliver a planned strategy to move away from fossil fuels.
“Yet, this new government shuns joining with partners across the EU in a green industrial revolution.
“Transitioning to a green economy could create up to a million jobs. To achieve that, we need a government in Westminster and the Senedd that is willing to use its full powers – including bringing vital industries like steel into public ownership.
“Today was Labour’s chance to show that it is prepared to lead. Sadly, it has fallen short.”
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