The Prime Minister writes for WalesOnline about his party’s approach to supporting the steel industry in Port Talbot
08:12, 17 Jul 2025Updated 08:13, 17 Jul 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Port Talbot has a bright future(Image: Getty Images)
I looked the workers and apprentices at Port Talbot in the eye and promised them my government would secure their future. This week, we are doing exactly that, as shovels get in the ground to build the new electric arc furnace. We’re backing Tata Steel with £500 million. 5,000 jobs have been secured. And our upcoming Steel Strategy will be backed by up to £2.5 billion in investment to create good jobs and produce clean steel in Wales.
This marks a new era for the future of Welsh industry.
I know the last few years have been difficult for many in Port Talbot. The Tories’ failure to secure a deal with TATA which put worker protection first has caused painful uncertainty for steelworkers, their families and many local businesses.
When we entered government we made sure that we negotiated a better deal for Port Talbot.
We fully funded the £80 million Transition Board that the Tories had left unfunded, and we put that money to work supporting workers to re-skill, retrain and open their own businesses. This week we have ended the uncertainty imposed upon the town by the Tories. We’re investing in floating offshore wind that will deliver another 5,300 jobs. And we have plans for a Celtic Freeport that will bring huge investment in green energy.
With Labour, Wales and Port Talbot have a bright future. Wales Secretary Jo Stevens is fighting for Wales every step of the way. And ever since we came into government, I’ve been completely focussed on delivering change that boosts jobs, backs businesses and cuts costs.
That’s what our modern industrial strategy is all about. We are cutting energy costs for energy intensive sectors like steel. We’re protecting the industry from spikes in foreign steel imports. And we’re making sure UK-made steel is considered wherever possible for public construction projects. That will make a huge difference to Welsh steel.
I’m fighting for Wales on the world stage as well. Our hat trick of deals, with the US, the EU and India are backing Welsh businesses with better access to overseas markets, putting more money in the pockets of Welsh people, and building ‘Brand Wales’ around the world. In our agreement with the US, we have secured the removal of 25% tariffs on steel. The UK is the only country in the world not to pay 50% tariff rate.
But while we’re making deals to secure a better future, some people are stuck firmly in the past. Back in April, Farage said the electric arc furnace would never happen. Now, he says he’d scrap it. Those 5,000 jobs we’ve secured, jobs which thousands of families are relying on? They’d be thrown away by Reform and replaced by a plan to reopen a blast furnace that everyone knows is a fantasy. Jobs today – gone tomorrow.
Next year’s election will be a key moment for the people of Wales. A choice between continuing down our path of change or rolling back all the progress we’ve made. A chance to protect the NHS and the free school meals Welsh Labour have fought for. And the power of two Labour governments working together for the people of Wales.
There is a lot left for us to do. But only this Labour government has a plan to deliver the change people in Wales want and deserve. We’ve delivered a record uplift to Welsh funding – that means more money for schools, hospitals and public services. We’ve invested £445 million in Wales’ railways, upgrading core valley lines and building 5 new stations.
We’ve raised the minimum wage, putting £1,400 in the pockets of the lowest paid. We’ve secured the triple lock, extended the carer’s allowance and made pensioners £400 better off. And we’re delivering stronger rights for workers with sick pay and maternity leave, ending fire and rehire and exploitative zero hours contracts.
This government has got wages rising higher in the first ten months than the Tories managed in 10 years. This government is cutting bills and creating jobs with our Plan for Change. And this government will rebuild Britain and renew Wales, securing a brighter future for this great country.
