Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to support the relining of Blast Furnace 5 at Port Talbot steelworks.

The Government has been working hard with the unions to secure a sustainable future for Tata Steel UK’s 8,200 employees, including those at its Port Talbot primary steelmaking plant.

Relining of Blast Furnace 5 is a significant investment, and not a decision which will be taken in the short term. We would expect, however, that joint venture will wish to reflect upon the improved productivity at Port Talbot delivered by the dedicated workforce, and the high demand from the UK’s automotive and construction sectors.

We will continue to work with Tata Steel, Thyssenkrupp, the Welsh Government and Trade Unions to support the future of the Port Talbot, including their decision on Blast Furness 5, and the rest of Tata Steel’s UK steel business.

I also recently visited Port Talbot steelworks where I received a tour of the facilities, and discussed with Tata and trade union representatives their vision for the future of this iconic site.