Business
£13.5m allocated to safeguard steel supply chain and support workers
THE UK Government has unveiled a £13.5 million funding package aimed at bolstering businesses and workers impacted by Tata Steel’s shift towards greener steelmaking practices at its Port Talbot facility.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens is set to announce the funding during her second meeting as chair of the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board today (15 August). This financial support marks the first allocation from the Transition Board’s fund, designed to assist local businesses that rely heavily on Tata Steel as their primary client. The funding will enable these businesses to explore new markets and secure alternative customers.
In addition to supporting businesses, the fund will provide vital assistance to workers affected by the transition, offering them opportunities to retrain, acquire new skills, and secure employment in sectors with current vacancies.
In a show of solidarity, over 50 businesses have already pledged their support to workers potentially facing redundancy at the steelworks. Among the companies offering practical assistance are Fintech Wales, The Royal Mint, Cardiff Metropolitan University, RWE Energy, Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, and Pro Steel Engineering. Their commitments range from guaranteed job interviews to providing training and coaching.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens will provide further details of this business pledge during a visit to Rototherm in Port Talbot on Thursday. Rototherm, a global leader in manufacturing measurement devices for temperature and pressure, is one of the firms within Tata’s supply chain that could be impacted by the transition to electric arc steelmaking.
The UK Government has also reset its relationship with the Welsh Government, unions, and other local partners to ensure a coordinated effort to support the affected workforce.
Negotiations between the UK Government and Tata Steel regarding the future of the Port Talbot works continue independently.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated:
“Under this government, the Transition Board has moved from discussion to delivery. Today’s release of an initial £13.5 million in funding demonstrates that we will act decisively to support workers and businesses in Port Talbot, working with the Welsh Government, unions, and the wider community.
“Negotiations with Tata Steel on the future of the site will continue separately. But this government will not wait for a crisis to overtake us before acting. We are putting a safety net in place now to ensure we can back workers and businesses, whatever happens.
“We are also harnessing the generosity of the local community, with dozens of employers pledging practical support for workers. Steelmaking is the lifeblood of communities in Wales, but so too is the support of local businesses. What they are offering will make a real difference to suppliers and staff.”
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds echoed this sentiment, stating:
“This funding is an important step towards supporting workers affected by Tata Steel’s transition and businesses in the wider supply chain.
“We’re working in partnership with trade unions and industry to secure a green steel transition that’s right for the economy, our talented workforce, and local communities for generations to come, and our negotiations with Tata remain ongoing.”
Oliver Conger, Managing Director of Rototherm, added:
“We are part of a really supportive community in Port Talbot, and we are delighted to offer help to any affected workers at Tata Steel and any suppliers affected.
“I believe that if businesses like ours from across the area can come together, we can offer a lot of practical support that will make a big difference to people and the impacted supply chain.”
Further details on how local businesses and affected workers can access the initial £13.5 million Transition Board funding are expected to be released shortly.
The Secretary of State for Wales also emphasised that the Transition Board will now operate as an equal partnership between political representatives, businesses, and unions.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Business
52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off
THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.
Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.
18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.
Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.
An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].
“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.
“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”
Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.
Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.
The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.
Business
World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners
AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.
Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.
The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.
The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.
SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.
“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”
Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”
“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.
The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.
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