ASSEMBLY Members have come together to demand action from UK Government to support steel production.

Jack Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, and Hannah Blyth AM for Delyn, met with the Welsh Government Economy Minister Ken Skates AM to call on UK Government to do more to support the steel industry.

The AM's highlighted the UK Government’s lack of support for the industry including failing to convene any steel council meetings for 18 months despite constant calls from the Welsh Government to do so.

In a statement made to the Assembly Chamber, Ken Skates AM said Welsh Government has done ‘everything in its power’ to support the sector and now UK Government should do the same.

He said: “I continue to call for the UK Government to take action on non-devolved areas such as energy to address the huge electricity price disparity between UK steel producers and their European counterparts and the adverse impact this has on competitiveness.

“I also continue to press the UK Government to urgently progress a sector deal or equivalent for steel, to provide the foundation for a sustainable industry.

“The sector is calling for certainty around Brexit and its number one ask of government is tariff free access to EU markets.”

Jack Sargeant AM said it was ‘very troubling news’ and his constituents are ‘concerned and desperately looking for more information’.

He added: “Steel production in in Shotton and across Wales is a crucial part of the economy, home produced steel keeps us competitive.

“The workforce at Shotton are as skilled and dedicated a workforce as you will find anywhere in the world.”

This comes following Tata steels announced 3,000 job losses across Europe.

Mr Sargeant said: “For people in Shotton, this is a familiar story, we have been let down before by the Tories in the 1980s

“Despite the General Election government ministers are still in place, can you urge them to engage and act and for once, speak up for the British steel industry, in the same way this Welsh Labour Government consistently do?”

Hannah Blythyn AM, who spoke after the statement, said Shotton steel is a profitable and innovated site with a loyal workforce however the recent announcement by TATA is concerning for the people of Flintshire.

She said: “I will continue to work both with the Shotton works and Welsh Government to ensure that our steel industry doesn’t just survive but thrives.”

“Now more than ever, it is time that the UK Government really steps up to the plate and takes action to both support and secure the future of steel in the UK.”