Tata Steel to Cut 2,800 Jobs in UK as Blast Furnaces Shut Down
Tata Steel, the India-owned steel giant, has announced the closure of two blast furnaces at its plant in Port Talbot, Wales by the end of this year, leading to the potential loss of up to 2,800 jobs.
This decision aligns with Tata's commitment to greener steelmaking, involving a shift to lower carbon electric arc furnaces, supported by a £500 million government investment. The shift to electric arc furnaces is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 85%.
Over the next 18 months, 2,500 jobs will be cut, with an additional 300 jobs phased out in the following three years. This accounts for nearly three-quarters of the current 4,000 staff at the site. Voluntary redundancies will be encouraged, and Tata has allocated over £130 million for a support package to aid affected employees. Alternative proposals from unions to save jobs were reportedly rejected by Tata, prompting unions to consider potential industrial action in response to the job losses.
The decision has sparked criticism from political figures, including Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, who expressed concerns about the impact on national security and emphasised the importance of domestic steel production.
The closure of blast furnaces in Port Talbot raises questions about the future of steel production in the UK and its potential impact on communities that rely on the industry. The government's commitment to the steel sector remains under scrutiny as unions seek ways to protect jobs and ensure a smooth transition to greener practices.
