Tata withdraws Port Talbot announcement at the last minute, leaving 3,000 steel jobs in limbo

Around 3,000 steelworker jobs are in limbo after an announcement by Tata Steel was withdrawn at the last minute.

Tata was expected to confirm cuts at Britain’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot yesterday.

But the announcement was canceled by Indian owner Tata Group after a board meeting – a move that completely rattled workers and unions.

Employees were left unclear about the reason for the delay and when they should expect an update.

It comes weeks after ministers agreed a £500 million deal to save the South Wales steelworks from closure and fund its transition to green energy.

Jobs at risk: Tata was expected to confirm cuts at Britain’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot yesterday

In September the government said its investment would protect around 5,000 of Tata Steel’s 8,000 jobs in the UK, with 3,000 at risk.

Unions welcomed the delay as an opportunity to reduce layoffs. They previously warned the deal would “rip the heart out” of the South Wales community.

Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB national representative, said the union was working hard to “offer a viable and sensible alternative that protects jobs and delivers a truly just transition”.

The Tata Group will invest £750 million in a deal with the government to create a greener alternative in Port Talbot.

The funding, worth a total of £1.25 billion, will replace coal-fired blast furnaces with an electric alternative.