News

UK Government backs Welsh steel with major new trade measures

Published

3 months ago

March 19, 2026

THE UK GOVERNMENT has unveiled a landmark Steel Strategy aimed at protecting Welsh steelmaking and securing thousands of jobs across the country.

The plan includes tough new trade measures, increased investment, and a commitment to boost domestic production, with Welsh producers expected to play a central role.

Ministers say the strategy will strengthen the UK’s ability to produce its own steel, reduce reliance on imports, and support key sectors such as infrastructure, defence and clean energy.

A new target has been set for 50% of steel used in Britain to be made domestically, up from around 30% currently. Welsh steel is expected to account for roughly half of that future production.

The Government will also allocate an additional £5.8 billion to the National Wealth Fund to support priority industries, including steel. This builds on more than £600 million already committed to Port Talbot, where around 5,000 skilled jobs have been protected.

On a visit to Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site, Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said the strategy marked a decisive shift in industrial policy.

He said: “Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy.

“With this strategy we are ending decades of de-industrialisation and committing to strengthening Britain as a steel-making nation.”

From July 1, 2026, new import controls will come into force. Steel import quotas will be cut by 60%, with any steel exceeding those limits facing a 50% tariff.

The measures are designed to protect domestic producers from global oversupply while maintaining necessary imports for industries such as construction and automotive manufacturing.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said the Government was “standing up for Welsh steelmaking” and delivering on promises to protect jobs and communities.

She said: “Welsh steel is expected to account for half of future UK steelmaking. It is vital not only to the South Wales economy but to the UK’s industrial strength and national security.”

The strategy confirms electric arc furnaces, such as the one under development at Port Talbot, as the future of UK steelmaking. These use recycled scrap and are seen as key to reducing carbon emissions.

Further measures include support for steel use in offshore wind projects, action to secure scrap metal supplies, and a focus on workforce skills and innovation.

The Government will also raise maximum tariffs at the World Trade Organization to 50% and explore new rules to track the origin of imported steel.

Ministers stressed that imports will continue where needed, but said the new approach would better protect UK producers from unfair competition.

Further announcements are expected later today, including a £70 million export deal for British Steel linked to infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

News

Major incident declared after bus crash in Carmarthenshire

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Emergency services at scene as A484 closed near Parc y Bocs

A MAJOR incident has been declared in Kidwelly following a collision involving a bus.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were dealing with the incident on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

The road has been closed between the Kidwelly roundabout and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are being urged to find alternative routes.

Emergency services are at the scene, and members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area until further notice.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Officers are dealing with a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout.

“The road is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.

“Emergency services are on scene and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area until further notice.”

More information is expected to follow.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

15 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

21 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.