Stephen Kinnock, Member of Parliament for Aberavon, commenting on the Prime Minister’s visit to Wales and comments that she would help “the steel industry secure a long-term viable future in Wales”, said:

“The Tory government have a record of warm words being matched by frozen actions. In the coming weeks the Prime Minister and new Secretary of State must show that is no longer the case.

“That means the UK government must offer clear and unequivocal assurances that: no options are off the table; that the British Steel Pension Fund will not be dumped in the Pension Protection Fund; and that the pledge to co-invest is substantiated.

“It is also vital that, in light of Tata’s announcement of a possible joint venture, Westminster commit to working with Tata and any possible partner to develop a long-term investment strategy to ensure steelmaking continues and grows in Wales. I wrote to the Prime Minister to this effect last week, and I look forward to receiving her response.

“For too long to government’s approach to the crisis facing our steel industry has been characterised by a combination of incompetence and indifference.

“The government only noticed that there was a crisis in the steel industry when it became a PR crisis for them. But thanks to the Save Our Steel Campaign of Community Union and Labour MPs raising the issues facing the industry over 230 times, the government finally, albeit reluctantly, began to engage.

“The rhetoric from the new Prime Minister have been positive, but it is just that, rhetoric. What our industry needs is action, and the government must stand up to Save our Steel industry, and fast.”

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