THE WELSH economy minister slammed Westminster Tories today for failing to talk to unions and the Welsh government before announcing a deal with Tata Steel last week.

Vaughan Gething criticised the UK government in a statement to the Senedd about the steel industry and the investment deal with Tata Steel in the Port Talbot steelworks that could lead to the loss of 3,000 jobs.

“The proposed agreement now reached between Tata Steel and the UK government provides too little detail and raises too many questions,” Mr Gething said.

He also slammed the leaks and media briefings about the deal and potential job losses and said they were disrespectful to the workforce and harmful to the steel sector.

Mr Gething told Senedd members that he had been trying to talk to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch about Welsh steel since her appointment earlier this year.

But the Tory cabinet minister has declined to meet the Welsh economy minister despite repeated attempts. 

Mr Gething explained he had sent one of her replies to the Senedd’s economy, trade and rural affairs committee noting that it thanked him for his interest in steel.

The Port Talbot plant is in Aberavon Senedd member David Rees’s constituency and he asked whether the UK Labour Party pledge on green steel might help the situation.

Mr Gething explained that there is still a negotiation to take place on Tata Steel’s proposed deal and with an incoming Labour government’s pledge to put £3 billion into green steel it was something the company should consider.