Labour MP hits out at Tata Steel over commitment to electric: 'False economy!'

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock says Tata Steel’s commitment to electric is not viable in the long run.

It comes after it was reported the steel giant will press ahead with plans to close blast furnaces at its biggest plant, threatening more than 3,000 jobs.

Sources said Tata accepted a union plea to keep the hot strip mill open over a transition period, supporting hundreds more jobs.

A Tata Steel spokesman said ahead of the meeting: “We have recently announced a joint agreement between Tata Steel and UK Government for a proposal to invest in state-of-the art Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking in Port Talbot.

“We are committed to meaningful information sharing and consultation with our trade union partners about the plan to develop sustainable steelmaking in the UK and to find solutions for concerns they may have.

“While those discussions are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

Kinnock hit out at their commitment to a “false economy”.

“If you look to the future, you need a future which is based on an electric arc furnace blended with a primary iron and steel making capability.

“The multi union plan delivers that blended model, whereas the Tata plan is based only on an electric arc furnace.”