The UK’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot will cease production today after more than 100 years of operation, marking the end of an era for South Wales and leading to nearly 3,000 job losses, according to The Sky News report. The final blast furnace at Tata Steel’s plant, known as Blast Furnace 4, will shut down at around 5pm, with the last batch of steel produced late on Monday night.
In an email to staff, Tata UK’s chief executive Rajesh Nair acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment, calling it a “difficult day” filled with “great emotion and reflection.”
The closure comes as Tata Steel prepares to transition to greener technologies by replacing the blast furnace with an electric arc furnace that will use UK-sourced scrap steel. However, the new furnace is not expected to be operational until 2028. The shift, costing £1.25 billion, is partially funded by a £500 million contribution from the British government but will result in nearly 75% of the current workforce losing their jobs.
In a statement, Tata Steel called the closure “a significant event in the history of iron and steelmaking in the UK,” adding that the current assets had “reached their end of life.” However, the company said that the new investment would ensure steelmaking returns to Port Talbot by 2027/2028, promising a “brighter, greener future” and sustaining more than 5,000 jobs across the UK.
Unions have been battling for months to delay the furnace’s closure and mitigate the number of job cuts. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community Union, expressed deep frustration over the decision, calling it an “incredibly sad and poignant day” for the British steel industry. He added, “It simply didn’t have to be this way.”
Rickhuss pointed to an alternative plan presented by Community and GMB last year, which aimed to provide a smoother transition to green steelmaking while preventing compulsory redundancies. “Tata’s decision to reject that plan will go down as an historic missed opportunity,” he said.
In a message to staff last Friday, Rajesh Nair acknowledged the impact of the closure on employees and the local community. “Port Talbot has long been associated with the iron and steel industry, and the closure of our heavy-end operations will be a hugely significant and emotional day for employees — past and present — contractor partners, and the local community,” he said.
Nair stressed that while the day would be difficult, it was a necessary step towards ensuring a green steel future and securing the legacy of steelmaking at Port Talbot for generations to come.
About Author
Leave a Reply