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‘We want to work’: Tata Steel workers protest over proposed cuts

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HUNDREDS of people have taken part demonstrations against the anticipated elimination of numerous positions within the steel sector.

Tata Steel has announced that 2,423 jobs throughout the United Kingdom are in jeopardy, with the largest impact felt in Port Talbot, where 1,929 jobs are threatened out of a workforce of 3,859.

A senior executive at Tata said that a significant portion of the operations at Port Talbot are nearing obsolescence, resulting in daily financial losses amounting to £1.7 million.

In anticipation of a rally in Port Talbot, employees from the Llanwern facility organised a march through the heart of Newport on Saturday (Feb 17).

Tata Steel’s Llanwern site employs 917 individuals, with 113 positions facing potential cuts. Approximately 500 participants joined the march, signaling widespread concern over the job losses.

Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss said: “Today showed that Port Talbot, Newport and South Wales – steelworkers, politicians, local businesses and community groups – are united in opposing Tata’s bad deal for steel, which would be disastrous not just for communities here which have been built on steel, but for the UK as a whole. Make no mistake about it, what the company are proposing is bad for jobs, bad for our economy, bad for our environment and bad for national security. As the steelworkers’ union, we’ll do everything we can in our power to stand up against Tata and the UK Government’s plan, including the last resort of industrial action as we set out yesterday. 

“This could all be avoided if the company showed some willingness to get back around the table, and to look again at the credible Multi Union Plan which is supported by industry experts, the Labour Party and MSs across the political divide in the Senedd. It sets out a pathway to decarbonise our industry in a just, sustainable way – not just opting for the cheapest option on the table and offshoring carbon emissions as the Tata plan does. It also avoids compulsory redundancies, and ensures the UK keeps its primary steelmaking capacity which, in an increasingly uncertain world, has never been more important.”

“Today’s rallies in Port Talbot and Newport showed that the people of South Wales value and support our steelworkers. Now we need the government and Tata to show the same commitment before it is too late. There is so much at stake here, and the weeks and months ahead are absolutely critical for our industry, our steel communities, and the country as a whole. We need our steel.”

Alan Coombs, Chair of the Multi-Union Committee at Port Talbot steelworks, said: “Steelworkers at Port Talbot are proud of our industry, and we are proud of our community which has come out in such a strong show of support for us today. These are uncertain times, and many of us are anxious about what lies ahead for Port Talbot. One thing is certain though – steelworkers will fight tooth and nail for the future of our industry and our livelihoods. 

“And when we fight, it isn’t just for workers like myself who have enjoyed long careers at the works: we are thinking just as much about the many apprentices and young workers who are just starting out on their own path and learning a skilled trade in a sector which should be at the cutting edge of innovation. Tata’s half-baked plan is taking away their futures, and completely undermining the future of an industry which will be absolutely essential if we want to transition to a greener economy. 

“Today was a reminder to the company that we won’t stand for it, and neither will our steel communities. This is just the beginning for us, and all options are on the table going forward as set out by Community steel reps yesterday. Tata need to change course now and get behind the Multi-Union Plan to save our industry before it is too late.”

Reg Gutteridge, Chair of the Multi-Union Committee at Llanwern steelworks, said: “Wherever you go in Gwent you will meet someone with a connection to the steel industry – from those who worked or had loved ones employed at sites like Pontymister, Ebbw Vale, Tredegar or Orb which are sadly no longer with us, or those with a connection to the proud workforce at Llanwern today. Llanwern has always been a hub for skilled and well-paid local employment in our area, and is still at the cutting edge of steel technology. 

“For example our Zodiac line is one of the best processors of high-quality automotive steel anywhere in the world. Under Tata’s bad deal for steel, the Zodiac line – and ultimately, our entire steel industry – would be reliant on imports from heavy-polluting countries overseas. That shows clearly that the company aren’t thinking about the environment at all. This is all about cutting costs and opting for the cheapest possible option available to them, and it’s shameful that the Conservative Government are propping up this agenda with taxpayer money.

“Today’s march in Newport was our way of sending a message to Tata and the government – we won’t back down when it comes to protecting our jobs, our industry, and our steel communities. It was great to have so much support and encouragement from the public today, and we know that the people of South Wales will stand with us in these challenging times. We need our steel, and it’s high-time that Tata reconsidered their destructive, discredited plans and backed the Multi-Union Plan.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We recognise that this is a concerning time for Tata’s employees at Port Talbot and we will continue to support staff affected by the transition.

“The UK Government has put in place one of the biggest support packages in history, with a £500 million grant as part of the £1.25 billion commitment by Tata to secure the future of the Welsh steel industry.

“Additionally, £100 million has been put towards the creation of a Transition Board – £80 million from the UK government and £20 million from Tata Steel. The Board is chaired by the Secretary of State for Wales, to directly support those affected.

“This record level of support shows just how much the UK Government values the Welsh steel industry and the people and communities whose livelihoods depend on it.”

Business

Drakeford resists call to exempt children from tourism tax

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MARK DRAKEFORD resisted calls to exclude under-18s from the Welsh Government’s plans for a tourism tax from 2027.

The finance secretary told the Senedd’s finance committee that exempting children from the levy as in some other European countries would lead to a “significant fall” in the tax take.

He said: “I see that you have heard from a range of voices who argue that particular groups ought to be excluded from the levy…. This is a broad-based tax with a low charge – if you narrow the base, the only way you can sustain the take from the tax is to put the charge up.”

Prof Drakeford said taking under-16s out of the £1.25-a-night levy would see the estimated £33m revenue fall to £21m, “eroding the chances that the levy will be of any use.”

He stressed: “If the committee wants to argue for excluding children from the levy, you are arguing for a higher charge on the people who are left – you can’t have both.”

Prof Drakeford pointed out: “Children buying sweets pay VAT. Children are not excluded by the virtue of being children from the taxation system.”

He defended the visitor levy bill after a report found the levy could lead to between 250 and 730 job losses and cost the Welsh economy £16m to £47m a year.

The finance secretary was questioned about the economic impact assessment by Calvin Jones, a professor at Cardiff University, as he gave evidence on February 12.

He said: “Professor Jones’ report deals with a set of complex considerations. It has, inevitably, to make a series of assumptions and deal with a series of uncertainties. It assumes, for example, that all 22 local authorities have adopted the levy from day one.”

Rejecting suggestions the report undermines the case for a levy, Prof Drakeford told the committee some witnesses exclusively referred to figures for a worst-case scenario.

He said: “I did think there were some witnesses who came before you who presented Prof Jones’ report as though it was a set of predictions rather than a range of possibilities.”

Prof Drakeford added: “Even if the impact was at the top end, you are talking about a few hundred jobs in an industry that employs over a million people…. This is not an industry, I think, that will struggle to accommodate the impact of the levy.”

Pressed about the timing with the sector still recovering from the pandemic, he said: “When some organisations have said to you ‘oh, not now’, what they really mean is ‘not ever’.”

Prof Drakeford stressed “There’s a long lead in, this is not an idea that has suddenly been put in front of the sector and there’s a long path in front of us as well.”

He said the earliest any council could introduce a local levy would be April 2027, adding that he expects only a modest number of local authorities to do so initially.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the committee, raised the “cumulative” effect of policies such as national insurance and the 182-day rule for holiday lets to qualify for business rates.

South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths
South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths

Prof Drakeford replied: “We’re familiar with the argument about comparing apples and pears but that list, I think, is the full fruit salad because they’re all completely different issues.”

He told the committee many microbusinesses in the tourism sector will be no worse off after the UK Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions.

Asked about introducing a day-visitor levy rather than an overnight tax, the former First Minister said: “I didn’t want to see the search for the perfect driving out the possible.”

Prof Drakeford rejected suggestions that families could upend their holiday plans over the proposed £1.25-a-night levy, arguing it will have a marginal impact.

He said: “There are so many other factors that will have an impact both on costs and people’s decision-making which will loom far larger than the visitor levy.

“On the whole, what we hear from the continent where this is commonplace is that visitor levies are broadly invisible to the end user.”

Prof Drakeford explained the bill would require councils to consult on whether to adopt a levy then report annually on the use of the revenue raised.

He told committee members: “The idea that you could easily slide a bit of that money away towards something else, I don’t think will be easy.”

Prof Drakeford said the visitor levy bill, which would create a fee-free register of providers, will be followed by a second bill on licensing accommodation in the autumn.

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Business

Last chance to buy high-quality homes at Carmarthenshire site

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ONLY six properties remain for sale at a popular housing development in Cross Hands.

Parc Cerrig – which has easy access to the A48 and M4 – has three and four-bed homes for sale from £284,995 to £344,995. Help-to-Buy Wales is available at Parc Cerrig, meaning customers could buy a home with a minimum deposit of 5%.

The houses have been built by Persimmon Homes, West Wales’ largest developer, which has a five-star ranking from the Home Builders Federation, which means nine-in-ten customers would recommend them to a friend.

Cross Hands is a village close to Carmarthen, while the development is a short walk from a range of amenities, including big brands at the excellent retail park, two supermarkets, a number of independent shops and eateries, schools, a doctor’s surgery, and a cinema. Llanelli and Swansea are 20 and 30 minute drive away, respectively.

Interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly to secure their dream home in this desirable location. With interest expected to be high, potential buyers are advised to act quickly to secure their dream home on this desirable development.

During the housebuilder’s time at Parc Cerrig, Persimmon has overseen the construction of 198 new homes. For more information or to arrange a viewing of the final properties, please visit the Persimmon website at persimmonhomes.com or contact our sales team directly on 01269 503893.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said: “With only six homes remaining at Parc Cerrig, we’re excited to offer this final opportunity to own a high-quality home built by a five-star builder at this development, where families will also benefit from the brand-new primary school and a local community centre.

“Located in the beautiful county of Carmarthenshire, Parc Cerrig is conveniently close to Swansea, Llanelli, the M4, and several coastal towns and their wonderful beaches.

“As we approach the end of our time here, we encouraging potential buyers to act swiftly and secure their dream home in this delightful part of the country.”

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Business

Welsh business activity sees renewed expansion in January

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Output increases for the first time since August 2024
BUSINSESS activity in Wales experienced renewed growth at the start of 2025, according to the latest Cymru Growth Tracker data from NatWest. The findings indicate a fresh rise in output, with business confidence remaining positive as companies entered the new trading year.

The Wales Business Activity Index—a seasonally adjusted measure of month-on-month changes in output across the manufacturing and service sectors—rose to 50.7 in January. This marked a third consecutive monthly increase and the first expansion in activity since August 2024. The figure was up from 48.9 in December, signalling a marginal improvement in business performance.

Business confidence remained strong, while the decline in employment and backlog levels eased. However, inflationary pressures intensified, with costs and charges rising at historically high rates. Firms sought to pass these costs on to customers, resulting in the sharpest increase in selling prices in ten months.

Economic trends and business confidence

Jessica Shipman, Chair of the NatWest Cymru Regional Board, commented: “January data saw a return to output growth at Welsh businesses, with improvements in the sales environment in specific sectors driving expansion. Firms remained cautious about employment but were confident that demand conditions would improve as the year progressed.

“Although cost burdens remained elevated compared to historical trends, Wales recorded the slowest rise in input prices of the 12 monitored UK regions. However, output charges continued to increase, approaching the UK average, as businesses sought to protect their profit margins.

“The Bank of England’s recent interest rate cut has made monetary policy less restrictive, with further easing expected later in the year.”

Comparison with UK trends

Welsh business activity mirrored UK-wide trends, which saw overall expansion in January. However, only four of the 12 monitored UK regions—London, the North East, the South West, and Wales—registered an upturn in activity. Some firms noted increased demand in specific sectors, though the broader sales environment remained subdued.

While new orders in Wales continued to contract, the rate of decline was weaker than the UK average. Of the ten UK regions reporting lower sales, Wales recorded the slowest decline.

Despite these challenges, business sentiment remained positive, with firms anticipating stronger economic conditions and planned capacity expansions. Of the 12 monitored regions, only the North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reported weaker optimism.

Employment and inflationary pressures

Welsh private sector firms reported a fifth consecutive monthly decline in workforce numbers in January. While job losses eased, Wales still experienced one of the sharpest reductions in employment among UK regions, with only the East of England and the West Midlands seeing steeper cuts.

Backlogs of work continued to decline, though at a slower pace than previous months. Firms attributed this to lower new orders, allowing them to process outstanding business more efficiently. The rate of backlog reduction remained quicker than both the UK and long-term series averages.

Meanwhile, input prices surged at the fastest rate since April 2024 due to unfavourable exchange rate movements, rising labour costs, and increased supplier prices. However, Wales recorded the slowest rate of cost inflation among the 12 UK regions.

Output prices followed a different trend, with Welsh firms passing higher costs on to customers at a faster rate. Scotland and Northern Ireland were the only UK regions to report a slower rise in selling prices.

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