![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/new-job-loss-fears-at-tatas-port-talbot-steelworks-as-500m-deal-edges-closer/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_rbp_mai230223port13368JPG.jpg&description=Negotiations between Tata and the Government over taxpayer support for the plant are said to be progressing, with an announcement possibly due by the end of the week Fears were growing tonight that a £500million taxpayer-funded deal to slash emissions at Britain's biggest steelworks will trigger thousands of job losses. Reports suggest Tata, which owns the Port Talbot plant, and the Government are closing in on an agreement, with an announcement possible this week. The firm wants help to switch to less polluting electric arc furnaces, but up to 3,000 of the site's 4,000 posts could still be lost because the process requires far fewer staff than traditional coal-fired blast furnaces. Industry chiefs have repeatedly told the Mirror about the urgency of securing a deal because the blast furnaces are nearing the ends of their lives. Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Only this Government could spend £500m to make thousands of people redundant and deliver no safeguards on the nation's investment. This is not a serious plan for the long term for our steel industry - it is yet another sticking plaster from a government living crisis to crisis unable to take a long-term view. While the Conservatives scramble around for last minute deals, Labour will make the long-term investments needed to protect British jobs, safeguard our national capabilities and create jobs rather than throw British steelworkers on the scrapheap." Community steelworkers' union national officer Alun Davies said: 'The unions have not agreed any decarbonisation strategy for Port Talbot and Community union does not support switching to an electric arc furnace model. There must be a full and meaningful consultation on all the options to decarbonise steelmaking and secure the future of every UK plant.' Britain's £2.9billion steel sector directly employs 39,800 workers and supports another 50,000 in supply chains and local communities, according to latest figures from trade body UK Steel. Tata){kind=link}
Negotiations between Tata and the Government over taxpayer support for the plant are said to be progressing, with an announcement possibly due by the end of the week
Fears were growing tonight that a £500million taxpayer-funded deal to slash emissions at Britain’s biggest steelworks will trigger thousands of job losses.
Reports suggest Tata, which owns the Port Talbot plant, and the Government are closing in on an agreement, with an announcement possible this week. The firm wants help to switch to less polluting electric arc furnaces, but up to 3,000 of the site’s 4,000 posts could still be lost because the process requires far fewer staff than traditional coal-fired blast furnaces.
Industry chiefs have repeatedly told the Mirror about the urgency of securing a deal because the blast furnaces are nearing the ends of their lives. Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Only this Government could spend £500m to make thousands of people redundant and deliver no safeguards on the nation’s investment. This is not a serious plan for the long term for our steel industry – it is yet another sticking plaster from a government living crisis to crisis unable to take a long-term view. While the Conservatives scramble around for last minute deals, Labour will make the long-term investments needed to protect British jobs, safeguard our national capabilities and create jobs rather than throw British steelworkers on the scrapheap.”
Community steelworkers’ union national officer Alun Davies said: “The unions have not agreed any decarbonisation strategy for Port Talbot and Community union does not support switching to an electric arc furnace model. There must be a full and meaningful consultation on all the options to decarbonise steelmaking and secure the future of every UK plant.”