Port Talbot jobs and future of UK steel industry in focus despite government move to curb cheap imports

WELSH steelworkers could be among the biggest beneficiaries of new UK tariffs on imported steel — but unions have warned that without a long-term plan, the industry will continue to face uncertainty.

The UK Government has confirmed it will strengthen its tariff regime from June to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel on the domestic market, a move welcomed by trade union Unite.

However, the union says the decision highlights a wider problem — a reactive approach that has left critical industries like steel “lurching from crisis to crisis.”

The issue is particularly significant for Wales, where the steel industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, with communities such as Port Talbot heavily reliant on the sector for jobs and investment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite welcomes the strengthening of the UK’s tariff regime to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel onto the domestic market from June.

“But this last minute situation is just another reminder that the reactive approach to UK steel that sees it lurch from crisis to crisis needs to be overhauled.”

She added: “Ministers must introduce a long-term strategy that secures the future of the industry, which is vital to the UK’s economy and national security, without delay.”

The Herald understands that concerns remain across the Welsh steel sector about the pace and direction of change, particularly following the transition away from traditional blast furnace steelmaking at Port Talbot.

Unions and industry figures have repeatedly warned that the shift towards electric arc furnaces, while more environmentally sustainable, could reduce the UK’s ability to produce so-called “virgin steel” — a key material for major infrastructure and defence projects.

Unite has called on the government to go further by legislating to ensure that all major UK infrastructure developments use domestically produced steel.

The proposal would have clear implications for Wales, potentially boosting demand for steel produced at Welsh sites and helping to safeguard jobs.

Unite regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “The steel strategy must be a first step in backing the UK steel industry and steelworkers.

“Steel is a foundation industry and is critical to the success of our economy. The government must also back the production of virgin green steel as we can’t simply rely on electric arc furnaces to produce all the steel we need.”

The debate comes at a crucial time for Welsh steelmaking, with significant public investment already committed to supporting the industry’s transition to greener production methods.

While ministers have framed the tariffs as a necessary step to protect domestic producers, critics argue that without a comprehensive industrial strategy, the measures risk being a short-term fix.

For communities in south Wales, the stakes remain high. Steel is not only a major employer but a defining part of the region’s identity — and decisions made in Westminster will have lasting consequences on the ground.

As global competition intensifies and energy costs remain volatile, pressure is mounting on the UK Government to move beyond emergency interventions and set out a clear, long-term vision for the future of steel — one that secures both jobs and production capacity in Wales.

PARKING charge increases in Pembrokeshire, which include part of Tenby’s multi-storey and the new Haverfordwest interchange moving to a 24-hour charging model, have been backed by senior councillors.

At the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to back a number of amendments to the current Pembrokeshire County Council parking charges.

For parking permits the changes proposed, to take effect from April 1, were: Y Penfro, parking across any long stay car park all year, from £240 a year to £300; The Puffin, which allows non-vehicle specific parking in a specific named car park all year round, from £180 to £240; Coastal, a transferable permit to allow a vehicle to park in specific seasonal car parks, up from £120 season to £160; Parking Permit Passport, a weekly permit transferable across all long stay car parks, from £35 to £40 a week.

These changes are expected to net an extra £25,000 a year.

At the Haverfordwest Interchange, changes, moving from a 9am-7pm charging to 24 hours, include the first hour now being free, with additional charges to the current rates of 10 hrs at £3.50 and 24 hrs at £4.50, along with a new dedicated motorcycle bay charge of £1 per 24 hours.

At Tenby multi-storey, to take effect from May 1, the proposal is to introduce 24 hours charging on floors 1–3. The ground floor would remain as charging between 9am and 7pm, this floor is short stay only, maximum stay two hours.

The main additional summer charges are: 10 hours £6, 24 hours £10, and weekly £50, up from the current £30; winter rates see 10 hours £3, 24 hours £5, and weekly £25, the latter up from £15.

From March 2027, Tenby Harbour Resident Permits see no cost changes, but a maximum of two vehicle registrations allowed, but a Tenby Harbour visitors permit will be introduced at a cost of £60 per vehicle.

These would be via a Variation Order which involves consultation. It is proposed to bring back any comments to Cabinet prior to implementing.

In Haverfordwest, a new four-hour charge, at £3, for Perrots Road is proposed alongside the current one and two-hour stay charges.

The town’s Hole in the Wall Car park is proposed to be revoked.

Two sites at Gelliswick Seafront currently have no enforceable parking restrictions. Due to recurring issues including overnight camping, it is proposed to introduce: Gelliswick Seafront – free parking, and Gelliswick – free parking.

Many of these changes will be require variation orders.

Other general cincreases proposed included: on street resident permit, £46 a year (to £48); on street visitor permit £52.50 (£60); compound £200 a week (£250); charity £50 (£65) free if all funds to charity; events, on a sliding scale dependent on the percentage capacity of the car park used from less than 50 per cent £100 (£150), 50-75 per cent £175 (£225) and over 75 per cent £225 (£275).

Members backed the changes, also agreeing to undertake a full review of parking services operations to include parking charges, charging periods, seasonal charges, license opportunities, in line with full cost recovery, with a report back to Cabinet in June 2027 – any changes to be implemented from September 2027.

REFORM UK has gained its first county council seat in Pembrokeshire following a seven-way battle for a ward made vacant following the death of veteran councillor Mike Stoddart.

Cllr Mike Stoddart, who passed away in January, represented Milford Haven’s Hakin ward, and had been a county councillor for more than two decades, having first been elected in 2004, with wife Vivien and daughter Tessa Hodgson also having county seats, Hubberston and Lamphey respectively, with Tessa also serving as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

The late Cllr Stoddart was well-known as an outspoken councillor, critical of failings and injustices, as he had been when he set up the Milford Mercury newspaper with his family before he became a councillor.

In later years, Cllr Stoddart also held an often-critical mirror to council and councillor activities through his popular Old Grumpy website.

Following his death a by-election was held for the Hakin ward, with the count taking place on March 17, initially with an eight-way fight for the seat.

That eight-way fight was reduced to seven when Labour candidate Nicola Harteveld, who set up charity foundation the Megan’s Starr Foundation, withdrew her candidacy after allegations a family member was harassed during her campaigning.

Those standing for the ward included parties the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Welsh Conservatives, Reform, the Green Party, and three independents.

Results for the ward, which saw a 32.7 per cent voter turnout were: Derrick William Charles Abbott, Independent, 11 votes; Samuel Robert Booth, Wales Green Party, 85; Lee James Bridges, Independent, 106; Duncan Ritchie Edwards, Independent, 52; Brian Kelvin Taylor, Welsh Conservative Party, 144; Samuel Warden, Welsh Liberal Democrats, 57; Scott Michael Thorley, Reform UK, 179.

Nicola Catherine Harteveld, Welsh Labour, who withdrew her candidacy, still attracted 27 votes.

Winner Scott Thorley had previously unsuccessfully stood as a Reform candidate for the Prendergast Haverfordwest ward seat made vacant following the resignation of local county councillor Andrew Edwards.

He was later co-opted on to Haverfordwest Town Council.

Speaking after his Hakin ward win, the-now Cllr Thorley said: “It was a massive honour to win last night and I’m more than aware I’ve got some massive shoes to fill in Hakin.

“I’ve already started work this morning and have responded to four residents first thing.

“People in Hakin just want the basics done right and someone they can reach out with any issues they have; I will be that person.”