Three major projects announced as part of Tata Steel transition support

A NEW £21.2 million package of regeneration funding will support more than 270 jobs in Port Talbot, with additional employment generated through construction and local business growth.

The investment—pending endorsement by the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board today (22 May)—will fund three regeneration projects expected to generate £119 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) for the local economy.

This announcement brings total investment from the Transition Board to over £70 million in just nine months, as part of efforts to support the area during Tata Steel’s transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking.

Projects supported by the funding:

1. Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility and Net Zero Skills Centre – Harbourside, Port Talbot

Investment: £12.5 million

Total project value: £35 million (with additional funding from the Swansea Bay City Deal)

Impact: Supports 170 jobs, engages 150 businesses, and generates £89.1 million in GVA

The centre will deliver low-carbon and net zero skills training and manufacture specialist equipment, helping to anchor an Innovation District in the Harbourside alongside the SWITCH project and Innovation Park.

2. Metal Box redevelopment, Briton Ferry

Investment: £6.9 million

Conversion and expansion of the former Metal Box site into modern business units.

3. Sandfields Business Centre upgrade, Port Talbot

Investment: £1.8 million

Expansion and modernisation of premises to support growing and start-up businesses.

Together, the Metal Box and Sandfields projects will support 101 jobs and deliver £29.9 million in GVA by 2035.

Cross-party and local support

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens, who chairs the Transition Board, said: “We promised to stand by the steelworkers, their families and the businesses of Port Talbot. This £21.2 million investment is a further step in delivering on that promise. The town’s future—through the Celtic Freeport, offshore wind and green steel—is full of potential.”

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, added:
“This investment complements the Swansea Bay City Deal and opens up high-value jobs, especially in renewable energy and manufacturing.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, welcomed the funding:
“It is vital we help local people and businesses seize the opportunities decarbonisation brings. These projects support that goal while driving growth and future skills.”

Further funding and support expected
This is the sixth major announcement from the Transition Board, funded through £80 million from the UK Government. Additional funding is expected in the coming months.

Previous allocations include:

£30 million for supply chain support and worker retraining

£13 million business start-up and resilience fund

£8.2 million for a growth project generating £87 million in economic benefit

£3.27 million for mental health support in Neath Port Talbot

The UK Government has also committed £500 million towards Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot, alongside a broader £2.5 billion pledge to rebuild the UK steel industry.

More than 50 major employers, including Fintech Wales, The Royal Mint, and RWE Energy, have also pledged to support displaced Tata workers with guaranteed interviews, training, and coaching.

For full details or to apply for funding, visit the Tata Steel Transition Information Hub.

Vehicles recovered after collision between Haverfordwest and Johnston

THE A4076 was closed for more than two hours following a crash between Haverfordwest and Johnston on Tuesday afternoon (May 20).

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 1:35pm following reports of a two-vehicle collision.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the road was shut to allow for vehicle recovery, with the closure lasting until approximately 3:45pm.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A4076 between Haverfordwest and Johnston at around 1:35pm on Tuesday, 20 May. The road was closed for vehicle recovery and was reopened at around 3:45pm. No injuries were reported.”

Traffic returned to normal following the reopening of the road.

Starmer’s partial U-turn on support payments met with calls for full reinstatement amid fears older people could face another cold winter

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed a partial U-turn on the government’s controversial changes to Winter Fuel Payments—but the announcement has been criticised by campaigners and the Welsh Conservatives as insufficient and lacking in detail.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (May 21), Sir Keir hinted at a policy reversal, saying more pensioners could once again become eligible for the benefit this winter. His comments follow months of criticism after last year’s decision to restrict access to the Winter Fuel Payment, which removed automatic eligibility for millions of older people.

The benefit, long intended to help pensioners cover the cost of heating during the coldest months, is seen as vital in rural and colder areas of Wales, where fuel poverty is a growing concern. But campaigners and politicians say the Prime Minister’s remarks leave too many questions unanswered.

Age Cymru Chief Executive Victoria Lloyd welcomed the indication of a policy shift but warned that clarity and urgency are essential.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and commitment to change,” she said. “However, the detail is needed so we can be confident that any policy change is going to support those older people that we know are struggling without this vital payment.”

Ms Lloyd said Age Cymru had seen the real-world consequences of last year’s changes: pensioners too afraid to heat their homes, resulting in misery and serious health risks.

“Means-testing Winter Fuel Payments in the way the UK Government announced last summer resulted in many pensioners on low incomes missing out on money they simply couldn’t afford to lose,” she added.

The charity is particularly concerned about older people who are not claiming Pension Credit despite being eligible, those whose incomes place them just above the threshold, and individuals with health conditions that make cold homes especially dangerous.

“We will judge the success of any new policy proposals by the extent to which they help vulnerable older people and those on low and modest incomes to heat their homes adequately next winter,” Ms Lloyd said. “Winter is only six months away—there is no time to waste.”

The announcement has also drawn criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who described the Prime Minister’s statement as “too little, too late.”

Samuel Kurtz MS, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Pictured), said: “Supporting our pensioners through the coldest months of the year should never have been in question. While today’s words from the PM are a step in the right direction, it simply doesn’t go far enough—we need a full U-turn to restore confidence and ensure no pensioner is left behind.”

Mr Kurtz reiterated the Welsh Conservatives’ pledge to introduce a dedicated Welsh Winter Fuel Payment if elected to government in Cardiff Bay. He said a devolved approach could deliver more targeted support for communities in Wales, where rural areas often face higher heating costs due to poor insulation and off-grid fuel reliance.

“Despite today’s announcement, the job is not done. We’ll keep up the pressure until a fair and comprehensive system is in place,” he added.

The Herald understands that further clarification on the scope and delivery of the Prime Minister’s revised Winter Fuel Payment policy is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Age Cymru has called for the introduction of a social energy tariff as a longer-term solution—but warned that immediate financial support is needed to prevent another crisis for older people this winter.