Paul Davies MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Trade & Rural Affairs Committee said:
“We are deeply saddened to hear Tata has concluded discussions with the steel unions and intends to proceed with its proposals to close both blast furnaces. The whole Senedd has been clear that keeping a blast furnace in Port Talbot during the transition to an electric arc furnace is the right thing to do.
“This decision will have major implications for workers and their communities. It is vital that they are supported through this massive chang.
"We are also disappointed to see Tata using redundancy packages as a bargaining chip in its industrial relations - all workers laid off should be entitled to the enhanced redundancy package already offered - with no additional conditions attached.
“The UK and Welsh governments must act quickly to support those that will be made redundant to progress into new, good quality employment and to make sure the strong talent pool we have currently working at the steelworks is not lost to south Wales."