A MINISTER has said that ‘decisive action’ needs to be taken following an announcement of job cuts were made by one of the biggest employers on Deeside.

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport, spoke in the Senedd since plans were revealed by Tata Steel to cut as many as 3,000 jobs across its European workforce.

Speaking about the announcement, he said it is "further proof that the steel industry in Wales, and across the UK, is continuing to face an extremely challenging operating environment."

“The UK Government must now treat the situation facing the steel industry with the urgency and importance that it deserves by reconvening the steel roundtable at the earliest opportunity and taking decisive action to address some of the issues facing our steel producers.”

The company - which has a plant in Shotton, Flintshire - said it wanted to come to terms with a "severe" international steel market, but added there would be no plant closures.

About two-thirds of the job cuts will be office-based.

Henrik Adam, chief executive of Tata Steel in Europe, said: "We are highlighting important proposals towards building a financially strong and sustainable European business.

"We plan to change how we work together to enable better co-operation and faster decision-making. This will help us become self-sustaining and cash-positive in the face of unprecedented severe market conditions, enabling us to lead the way towards a carbon-neutral future."

Tata said its plans include a proposed new way of working to boost productivity and reduce bureaucracy as well as a focus on increasing sales of higher-value steel products.