Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates met with Community Union representatives at Llanwern Steelworks today (Wednesday September 16th) to discuss a worrying slump in demand amid growing numbers of cheap high-carbon galvanised steel imports.
Llanwern is a crucial strategic site for the Welsh and UK steel sectors and has the only automotive galvanising line within the UK, which supplies the automotive, engineering, industry strip and Solar markets.
Demand for galvanised steel, which is produced when standard steel is coated in zinc, has been in decline at Llanwern since the Government expanded quotas for some countries on galvanised steel.
During his visit to the steelworks, Ken Skates MS listened to the concerns of our reps and called for “action” to be taken so that Welsh steel can compete fairly alongside steel produced in other countries.
Our reps also met with Newport East MP Dame Jessica Morden, Monmouthshire MP Catherine Fookes and Welsh Government Minister Jayne Bryant, and told them of the key role steel plays in the lives of so many in Wales.
Welsh Labour Leader Ken Skates MS said:
“Visiting Llanwern today was crucial to stand with steelworkers, their families and the wider community of Newport.
“Cheap imported steel is putting huge pressure on production and jobs, creating real uncertainty for those who work here.
“I want to thank the workforce and trade unions for making their concerns heard. The steel industry has deep roots here in Newport, and we need action to ensure Welsh steel can compete fairly, with investment that secures skilled jobs for the long term.”
Newport East MP Dame Jessica Morden said:
“Steelmaking runs through the DNA of Newport East and, to this day, the steelworks at Llanwern remains of national importance, finishing world-class automotive and construction steel that is vital to our growing manufacturing sector and housebuilding industry.
“This UK Labour Government recognises the importance of steelmaking at downstream sites such as Llanwern, and I’ll continue working with Ministers and Community Union to ensure that Newport East remains a steel-producing community for generations to come.”
Welsh Government Minister Jayne Bryant MS said:
“The steel industry has deep roots in Newport. It’s part of our identity and I’m always glad to speak with workers here at Llanwern.
“It’s clear that a sustainable future for the steel industry in Wales is possible, but we must protect steelworks like Llanwern from the threat of cheap galvanised steel imports.
“The unions who are advocating for the workforce must be listened to, for the benefit of Wales and the whole of the UK.”
Monmouthshire MP Catherine Fookes said:
“‘I was really pleased to visit Llanwern this morning – it’s so important we do all we can as MPs to support our local steel plants.
“Many of my Monmouthshire residents work at Llanwern and their steel making is as vital to the local South Wales economy as it is to the national UK economy.
“I’ll continue to raise the importance of buying Welsh steel for all UK projects, as I have done in Parliament this week.”
Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:
“It was great to see the Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates, Dame Jessica Morden MP, Catherine Fookes MP and Jayne Bryant MS visit our reps at Llanwern at what is a very challenging time for our members.
“The future of Welsh manufacturing relies on the safeguarding of sites such as Llanwern, which produces substantial quantities of high-quality galvanised steel each year – steel that is vital to our national economy and construction industry.
“The recent changes to galvanized steel quotas have had serious impacts on operations at the site, and we are concerned that the reduced production threatens jobs and will have a domino effect, creating supply shortages for downstream manufacturing.
“We will continue to work with Labour MPs and the Government to advocate for more robust trade measures that will ensure the steelworks is protected from devastating floods of cheap high-carbon galvanised steel imports.”
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