In light of recent news over Tata’s future, Adam Price MS (Plaid, Carms. E. & Dinefwr), said the possible reduction in primary steelmaking and its replacement with electric arc furnaces for the sake of reaching carbon emission targets was short-sighted.
With Wales unable to rely on Westminster to prioritise the Welsh economy, he called for the Welsh Government to develop alternative proposals, including possible part or full nationalisation ( an argument which was made in 2016), a steel cooperative based on Mondragon and research on hydrogen-based steel production.
The First Minister warned against speaking as though all is lost; Tata still has customers and an order book to fulfil. The solution could only be found through proper discussions between the UK Government and Tata which haven’t been forthcoming.
The Welsh Government would “use its powers of persuasion”, not to make a counter-proposal but to work with Tata on the plans they themselves want to bring forward. There was no doubt of his desire to see a carbon-neutral steel industry and that’s why the steel research institute with Swansea University is so important.
More discussions would take place with the Basque Government over the potential of mutuals, but it was important not to get distracted by alternatives.
Elsewhere, the Leader of the Opposition, Paul Davies MS (Con, Preseli Pembs.), welcomed the backdating of £500 payments for people self-isolating in Wales to October but this would leave people disadvantaged compared to those in the same position Scotland and England.
Additionally, a Mind Cymru survey revealed a third of adults and a quarter of young people are failing to get mental health support.
The First Minister warned of a need for certainty that people were eligible for the money for reasons of fraud protection. He agreed that getting help with mental health problems during this period of strain was very important – though people haven’t failed to get the help that they asked for, they simply haven’t looked for it.
