00:00This is the UK government announcing its steel strategy.
00:03They recognise that the plant here in Port Alba is central to that strategy.
00:08There's been a lot of nervousness in terms of what the future of steel looks like in the United Kingdom.
00:13This strategy sets out a clear plan for transition from the kind of steel that has been produced in this
00:22place
00:23to a future that is much cleaner but also recognising that there's an overcapacity of steel in the world
00:31and so we don't want steel to be dumped here, undercutting the steel that's produced here
00:36and this is putting a measure of protection in to make sure that there's fairness in the system.
00:42The key thing for us, and the Welsh Government has been working with the UK government on this,
00:46they've got a clear strategy within the industrial strategy, steel is central to it.
00:53We've got to recognise that the world is a pretty unstable place at the moment
00:56and so the more you can lock down things at home, the better, the more secure it is
01:01and that's what is happening here and obviously there are huge opportunities for steel when it comes to defence
01:07but here with the development of an electric arc furnace and the UK Government has invested Ā£500 million into that,
01:15we are looking at a transition from an old way of making steel that was dirty
01:20and that really affected the community, people can breathe in this place again
01:24and because there's a recognition that that transition might be difficult,
01:30UK Government has put in a considerable amount of money, about Ā£120 million in this transition fund
01:37to support people through that process and it's fascinating to see in this area
01:42there hasn't been an increase in the number of people unemployed.
01:46Resilient economic growth is the main driver of social justice.
01:51Steel is essential to both.
01:54Steel underpins the key growth driving sectors in our modern industrial strategy.
01:58Steel has strengthened and sustained communities in England, Scotland and Wales.
02:03The future of steel in Britain is about ensuring the future strength and security of our national economy.
02:10We honour steel's proud industrial past but we do not live in it.
02:16We are ambitious and excited for Britain's future steel sector.
02:22It's a part of our psyche, it's a part of our being, it's what makes us
02:28and so this is very symbolically important for us as a nation.
02:32So having a future that is different from the past but is adapting and adjusting
02:40and recognising that we can't go on as we were is important
02:44but supporting people through that transition for me is critical.
02:49That's why, for example, we've said if we get into power after May
02:54we will be making sure that there is a lifelong retraining guarantee for everyone in Wales.
03:00what
03:00you
03:00know
03:00you
03:00know
Comments