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Welsh Secretary emphasises importance of City Deal to Pembrokeshire’s future

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Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns: Meeting with Port of Milford Haven's CEO Alec Don and Wavetricity's CEO Simon Gillett

WELSH SECRETARY Alun Cairns has visited some of Pembrokeshire’s leading marine renewable tech firms to underline his support for the sector and highlight the importance of the UK Government’s City Deal to future economic growth in the region.

The Secretary of State was joined by Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven which is leading the £76m Pembroke Dock Marine project.

The project was successful in its bid for the UK Government’s City Deal funding as it seeks to create a world-leading centre for the development and testing of wave and tidal energy devices here in Pembrokeshire.

The development will also extend beyond renewables creating facilities that have application for multiple blue economy industries.

Mr Cairns caught up with the progress of Marine Power System’s WaveSub and Bombora’s mWave, just two of the innovative devices being developed in Pembrokeshire which are hoped to generate clean, low cost electricity.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “The UK Government’s Swansea Bay Region City Deal investment offers Pembrokeshire the chance to make a large, once in a generation investment in its own economic future. As one of the UK’s leading energy ports the Milford Haven Waterway already boasts excellent infrastructure and an outstanding supply chain, with talented companies serving domestic and international clients in shipbuilding, oil and gas.

“We want this region to be in the best position possible to compete with other port-centred regions across Europe, and to be a destination of choice for the fast-growing marine renewable energy industry. The City Deal funding, alongside investment from the Port of Milford Haven and others will play a vital role in helping to attract that industry to Welsh shores.

“Pembrokeshire is undoubtedly a wonderful place to live. Through the City Deal, the UK Government wants to make sure there are more opportunities for school leavers to benefit from local career opportunities, and to work in rewarding, skilled industries. The marine renewables industry clearly has the potential to provide those jobs of the future.”

Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, Alec Don said: “We are grateful for the support of the UK Government in this project. Pembroke Dock Marine has the potential to fundamentally reshape Pembrokeshire’s future, and public funding is a critical part of achieving our united goals.”

“Combined with private investment, City Deal Funding will be a rare boost in a region that is heavily reliant on so few, typically seasonal, industries as well as the nationally important fuel industry. We believe the City Deal will help create new opportunities that will secure existing jobs and create new rewarding employment for the people of Pembrokeshire.”

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Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash

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THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.

Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.

The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.

Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”

The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.

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Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton

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ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.

“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”

The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.

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Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock

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THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.

The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.

We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.

The emergency services have been asked for a comment.

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