UK government minister David TC Davies has defended the £100m fund for Tata Steel workers, stating it is enough to meet their retraining needs. The secretary of state for Wales said he would 'make the case for more' if necessary, following Tata's announcement of 2,800 job losses, mainly in Port Talbot.
Mr Davies emphasised that every affected worker would have access to any training they need or want. The fund, established as part of a September deal, is managed by a transition board. While the primary focus is reskilling, some money may be used for infrastructure to attract investment.
Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething said the Welsh government would support workers facing redundancy, potentially reallocating budget funds. However, he stressed that maintaining jobs remains the priority, noting that the final closure of blast furnaces may not occur until late this year, leaving room for hope.
Mr Gething added that a Labour government would put a £3bn green steel fund 'on the table' to ensure a just transition. Joe Rossiter of the Institute of Welsh Affairs warned that without a coordinated plan and investment, Welsh workers risk being left behind in the global green economy race.
