Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
During my recent visit to Mumbai I attended a set of meetings discussing the future of Tata’s steel production in Wales.
I have maintained regular dialogue with Tata throughout the sales process and I travelled to Mumbai to press the case for Wales very directly with Tata’s senior leaders.
Assembly Members will understand that I cannot go into detail on commercially sensitive issues but I can say that the discussions were constructive and significant. Tata is now in the process of evaluating the offers it has received.
The objective of the Welsh Government is to secure sustainable steelmaking in Wales and we offer our full support to any interested party or parties who share this aim. I have stressed many times that our priority is to maintain steelmaking in Wales both in the strategic interests of the country as a whole and in the specific interests of our steelmaking communities. This Welsh Government will continue to do everything we can to ensure this happens.
I know that the future of Tata’s plants in Wales is of great interest to Members and I plan to table an Oral Statement to create an opportunity for discussion at the earliest opportunity.