Tata Steel’s Announcement puts the spotlight firmly on UK Government - It has to step up and support British steel industry
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The potential separation of the UK and Dutch operations presents our Port Talbot works and other Tata operations around the UK with an opportunity to be even more focused and effective.
Our steelworkers make the best steel that money can buy, so there is no doubt that they will rise to the occasion. But the reality is that for far too long they’ve been forced to compete with one hand tied behind their backs, because for the last ten years the UK government has failed to give our steel industry the support that it needs and deserves.
Tata’s announcement puts the spotlight firmly on Tata Steel and on the UK Government.
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For its part, Tata must now honour its commitment to a sustainable long-term future for its UK operations, with Port Talbot at its heart.
And for its part the UK government must now take rapid and decisive action.
First, it must now loan Tata Steel UK the short term liquidity support that is needed to enable the company to tackle the cash-flow deficit that is a consequence of the unprecedented drop in demand caused by the pandemic.
Negotiations have been dragging on for months, and every day lost puts more jobs at risk. Other European governments provided their steel industries with short-term loan support within weeks of their respective lockdowns, so why is the UK government dragging its heels?
Second, it must commit to supporting the de-carbonisation of the UK steel industry. This means substantial investment in the R & D and capital expenditure that is needed to enable our steel industry to transition to a brighter, cleaner, greener future.
Third, our steel industry is badly hamstrung by the impact of energy costs. We pay twice as much for our energy as the Germans and French do. Steel unions, employers and MPs have been pressing the UK government for over five years to take action on this, ministers must now start listening.
And, fourth the UK government must buy more steel from Britain, rather than overseas.
Steel is a cutting-edge twenty-first century industry, and as such it must surely be at the centre of the UK government’s post-Brexit, climate-friendly, levelling up agenda.
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This Month Around Parliament
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Furlough Must Be Fair For All
When Wales went in to its firebreak the Chancellor Rishi Sunak refused to extend the furlough scheme, but that changed when the second wave hit London and the south-east, suddenly the money appeared and the scheme was extended. Furlough must be fair for all and I made that point in the Commons.
Covid Support
During a Westminster Hall debate on Covid-19 Support For People And Businesses In Wales, I paid tribute to the amazing response in Aberavon to the crisis and said in supporting UK businesses through Covid-19 the UK government must have an eye on long-term resilience. In my speech I called on the UK Government to support the self-employed that fall through the gaps in the support schemes and give local government the support it needs to respond to the crisis.
National Security & Investment Bill
For nine years Labour has called for tighter controls on hostile foreign takeovers of British businesses. The National Security and Investment Bill is good for national security, but should also protect vulnerable firms weakened by Covid. The Bill is a big missed opportunity to strengthen the UK’s wider industrial strategy and for the Government to show that they are committed to building an economy of purpose and resilience.
Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific
Responding to an Urgent Question on the disqualification of pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong I called on the UK Government to sanction Chinese Government and Hong Kong Executive officials who are responsible for human rights abuses.
I also asked the UK Government what it is doing about HSBC and Standard Chartered who are shamefully supporting these repressive policies.
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This Month Across Aberavon
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I was delighted to welcome Google Digital Garage back to Aberavon for an online event to help local businesses. I wanted to bring this event back to Aberavon to harness the creativity we have here and help individuals and businesses make the most of the opportunities that the digital age presents us.
The event kicked off with a question and answer session, which was a fantastic opportunity to hear first hand the issues affecting businesses in Aberavon, before moving on to the digital marketing training from industry experts.
I followed this up with a wide-ranging online session with Councillor Saif Rahman and members of the Muslim community in Aberavon. We discussed an array of international issues and the need for better cultural and historical education in the UK to ensure we understand more about our diverse nation.
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It was an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of my Aberavon constituents for Remembrance Day. While we couldn’t commemorate in the normal way this year, we were still able to remember and give thanks to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I was also honoured to be asked to take part in Poppies To Paddington. Over 200 poppy wreaths were placed on trains across the country travelling to Paddington to mark Remembrance Day, a wreath was put on the train at Port Talbot Parkway.
It was great to meet Class 10 from Sandfields Primary School to mark UK Parliament Week 2020.
They had done some fantastic work ahead of UK Parliament Week in shooting and producing some excellent film trailers on issues like youth alcohol consumption, safe playgrounds and conservation – watch this space, Hollywood!
I also had a great UK Parliament Week 2020 session with Lisa Morris and her children Aleycia (12), Carter (9) and Emrys (3). We talked about how Parliament works, local issues in Aberavon and they even helped me brush up on my Welsh!
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I spoke to Politics Wales, BBC Radio Wales and Wales Live about Tata Steel’s plans to sell it’s Dutch operation to the Swedish steel company, SSAB, and what it means for the works.
I took part in Radio 4’s Westminster Hour and discussed a Number 10 reset and concerns around the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is due to replace EU structural funds after the transition period ends but we still don’t know what it will look like.
I spoke to Sky News about supporting British manufacturers.
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I and my team are continuing to work remotely to help and support residents.
You can still get in touch with us by calling the office on 01639 897660. Leave your name and number, we will call you back. Alternatively please send an email to [email protected]
We’ve made some changes to our online advice surgeries and are now offering a call-back or Zoom appointment with a caseworker Monday to Friday. To request a call-back or book a Zoom appointment please complete this form - https://bit.ly/2ySiyh9
I am still holding online advice surgeries which can be booked online at https://bit.ly/3jrZI2F please check on my website or Facebook page for details of the next one.
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Stephen Kinnock
MP for Aberavon
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