Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces have been protected through public ownership, two years after primary steelmaking ended in South Wales

THE UK GOVERNMENT’S decision to nationalise British Steel has reignited questions over its handling of the steel crisis in Wales, following the closure of Port Talbot’s blast furnaces and the loss of thousands of jobs.

British Steel formally transferred from its Chinese owner, Jingye, into public ownership on Thursday after ministers said negotiations to secure the company’s future had failed.

The takeover is intended to protect approximately 2,700 direct jobs and preserve the Scunthorpe works, the last site in the UK still capable of producing primary steel from iron ore and coking coal.

However, the intervention is likely to cause renewed anger in Welsh steel communities.

Port Talbot’s final blast furnace closed in September 2024 as part of Tata Steel’s move towards electric arc production, bringing an end to traditional primary steelmaking at the South Wales site and contributing to the loss of approximately 2,800 direct jobs.

The UK Government committed £500 million towards Tata’s £1.25 billion transformation programme, with a new electric arc furnace now being built and expected to begin operating in late 2027 or early 2028.

Ministers say the investment secures a long-term future for steel production in Wales and safeguards around 5,000 jobs across Tata Steel’s UK operations.

Critics, however, are likely to question why public ownership was considered necessary to preserve blast-furnace production and skilled employment in Scunthorpe, while calls for similar intervention at Port Talbot were rejected.

Plaid Cymru MPs attempted to strengthen the legislation used to nationalise British Steel by adding protections for steelmaking sites and communities in Wales.

Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies said during the passage of the legislation that Port Talbot remained a “painful reminder” of what she described as the neglect of Welsh steel communities.

The government previously confirmed that it had no plans to nationalise Tata Steel’s Port Talbot operation, arguing that its future was already underpinned by the electric arc furnace agreement.

The contrasting approaches reflect significant differences between the two companies. Tata Steel remains the owner of Port Talbot and is investing alongside the taxpayer, while ministers said they had been unable to reach a viable agreement with Jingye over British Steel.

Nevertheless, Thursday’s announcement means taxpayers will now own and support Britain’s remaining blast furnaces, while Wales has already lost the same primary steelmaking capability.

That distinction is expected to become central to the renewed political debate over whether Welsh steelworkers and communities were offered the same level of protection.

Current arrangements will remain in place after ministers admitted consultation work failed to properly assess the impact on volunteers and coastal operations

PLANS to move Coastguard Rescue Officers to an expenses-only volunteer system have been abandoned following widespread concern from crews, MPs and trade unions.

The Department for Transport confirmed on Thursday (July 16) that the proposed change, which had been due to take effect in September 2026, will no longer go ahead.

Current payment arrangements for Coastguard Rescue Officers will remain in place while the Maritime and Coastguard Agency carries out further consultation on the future of the service.

The reversal follows warnings that removing modest payments could force experienced officers to leave, placing additional pressure on teams responsible for responding to emergencies around the UK coastline.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained volunteers who attend incidents including cliff rescues, searches for missing people, flooding, maritime emergencies and casualties cut off by the tide.

The proposed expenses-only model was announced on June 1 following a Court of Appeal ruling in the case of Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom.

The judgment found that the payment of modest remuneration had inadvertently created a worker relationship between the MCA and Coastguard Rescue Officers.

The Government said the ruling meant it would either need to restore a fully voluntary model or formally adopt a worker model to remain legally compliant.

Transport minister Keir Mather said the expenses-only option had initially been considered the most appropriate response, based on advice provided by the MCA.

However, he said further scrutiny had revealed that two surveys used to inform the decision had not been detailed enough to properly assess the consequences for individual officers, their families or the wider service.

Mr Mather said: “I can confirm that plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead and current arrangements will remain in place.”

He said ministers had listened to concerns raised by Coastguard Rescue Officers, MPs and trade unions, including during parliamentary questions, an urgent question and a Westminster Hall debate.

Mr Mather also visited a Coastguard station in Southampton, where he met members of the Hill Head and Portsmouth teams to hear directly how the changes could affect officers and their families.

He added: “Coastguard Rescue Officers must feel that their views have been heard and that they are valued, respected and empowered to carry out their duties.

“I am committed to ensuring that we now take the time to robustly gather the information required to understand the full operational implications of future decisions.”

Over the coming months, the MCA will consult directly with Coastguard Rescue Officers, trade unions and MPs before deciding on the longer-term structure of the service.

The Department for Transport will also examine how officers can continue to be properly recognised and rewarded while retaining the flexibility needed to serve their local communities.

Mr Mather said protecting the public around the coastline and recognising the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers remained his key priorities.

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales urge people to check conditions and take precautions as temperatures rise

People heading to Wales’ beaches, rivers and lakes are being urged to take extra care as warmer weather encourages more families and swimmers into open water.

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales have issued joint safety advice ahead of the school summer holidays, warning that conditions in natural waters can change rapidly and may present risks that are not immediately visible.

Although outdoor swimming can provide physical and mental health benefits, officials say rivers, lakes and coastal waters are very different from managed swimming pools.

Potential hazards include cold-water shock, strong currents, sudden changes in depth, underwater obstacles and blooms of blue-green algae.

Even during hot weather, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold. Entering too quickly can trigger cold-water shock, affecting breathing and movement and increasing the risk of drowning.

Water that appears clean may also contain harmful bacteria, viruses or other contaminants from agricultural runoff, urban drainage, wildlife, wastewater or storm overflow discharges.

The risk can increase after periods of heavy rainfall, although officials stressed that water quality can vary at any time.

While a number of coastal areas and a small number of river locations in Wales are designated bathing waters and regularly monitored between May and September, most rivers, lakes and inland waters are not routinely tested for bathing purposes.

Bathing water designation provides information to help people make informed choices, but it does not guarantee that the water will always be free from pollution or other health risks.

Hamish Osborn, Environment Team Leader at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We know more people are looking to rivers, lakes and coastal waters to cool off and enjoy the outdoors during periods of hot weather.

“Wales has fantastic places to connect with nature, but natural waters are different from managed swimming environments and conditions can change quickly.

“Most rivers and lakes in Wales are not designated bathing waters, so we encourage people to make informed choices about where and when they enter the water, follow the Wild Swimming Code and take sensible steps to protect their health and safety.”

Alice Munro, Consultant in Environmental Public Health at Public Health Wales, said weather, tides, currents and water depth could all change quickly.

She said: “Even in summer, the water can be extremely cold and cause cold-water shock if you get in too quickly, which can lead to drowning.

“You may also not be able to see underwater dangers, especially if you dive or jump in. Getting in slowly and wearing a flotation device can reduce these risks when swimming in unfamiliar waters.”

People are advised to choose known and suitable swimming locations wherever possible, including designated bathing waters, and to check the weather, tides and local conditions before entering.

Swimmers should avoid swallowing water, cover cuts and grazes with waterproof dressings and wash their hands before eating or drinking.

They should shower as soon as possible after swimming and regularly clean wetsuits and other equipment.

Anyone who has recently suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting should stay out of the water. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea develop after swimming.