Jo Stevens accused of snubbing Senedd committee looking at the future of Welsh steel
Martin Shipton
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has been criticised for refusing to give evidence to a Senedd committee examining the future of the steel industry in Wales and the impact of job losses at Tata’s Port Talbot steelworks.
The closure of the remaining blast furnaces led to up to 2,800 job losses, although the company is investing in a new, more environmentally friendly electric arc furnace that will require far fewer workers.
In a letter to Ms Stevens, Andrew RT Davies, Chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, said: “I am extremely disappointed that the UK Government has not been able to put forward a Minister to give evidence to the Committee as part of our Future of Welsh Steel Inquiry.
“I acknowledge, and would like to thank you for attending our session in November 2024. However there have been significant developments since that meeting, and it is vital that we hear the UK Government’s perspective on progress.
“The clerking team has been in contact with both your office and that of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to try and arrange a suitable time for you to attend. The Committee has been as flexible as possible with dates. It is deeply frustrating that we have not heard anything from the Department for Business and Trade.
“Although I appreciate your wish to wait for the Steel Strategy to be published before giving evidence to the Committee, the wide-ranging nature of our inquiry means that your input is important for many matters beyond just those covered by the Strategy. It encompasses the impact of blast furnace closures at Port Talbot on both the local and wider Welsh and UK economies, the support available for those made redundant, and how recent developments at Tata align with broader government initiatives such as the Celtic Freeport.
“Therefore, UK Government engagement is crucial for the Committee to develop a well-rounded view and to ensure our recommendations are as robust and informed as possible.
“With limited time remaining before dissolution [in advance of May’s Senedd election], I urge you, or another UK Minister, to reconsider and attend a Committee session at the earliest opportunity. Your contribution would be invaluable to our work and to the future of the Welsh steel industry.”
Mr Davies concluded by stating he was copying the letter to Peter Kyle, the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
‘Appropriate ‘
A Wales Office spokesperson responded: “The Secretary of State for Wales has appeared before the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the future of Welsh steel and intends to do so again in the future.
“She has informed the Committee that she intends to appear again at the most appropriate moment in the development of the UK Government’s steel policy so she can provide members with the best possible evidence on the future of the industry.
“The UK Government’s ongoing support for steelmaking ensures that Welsh steel has a bright future. As chair of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board the Welsh Secretary has acted decisively to support workers and businesses in Port Talbot, allocating £122m in funding into the local community to provide support for thousands of workers and supply chain businesses during Tata Steel’s transition to electric arc steelmaking.”
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She truly is the most awful Welsh Secretary since John Redwood, or maybe ever. Just as a small, trival thing, why does she stand before the union jack and no Draig Goch in sight? I don’t remember any recent SoS doing that; it says all there is to say about her really.
Worth reminding, but the Secretary of State for Wales is not the same thing as the Secretary of State of Wales. Her job description is “responsible for the strategic direction of the UK Government in Wales”.
She does not represent Wales, she represents the UK Government.
It’s also worth noting that… Jo Stevens has in fact stood before the Welsh Flag many times and has been photographed as such, however nation.cymru choose to use this specific picture (every time) for reasons unknown.
And accountability channels are through Westminster, for good reason. If she is present at a seneddd committee, it should only be to help Welsh politicians understand how UK decisions affect Wales. As as no UK decisions have been made because the policies being prepared (as RT acknowledges), then her presence were just creates confusion, or will be answered with ‘ the final decision hasn’t been made yet’ for most questions
All I can say is, that Andrew R T Davies didn’t write this letter – it’s coherent and literate.
True. And no Muslims were bashed in this letter. I am very surprised.
Not realy got a Welsh heart has she
No passion. Just a doormat for English Westminster.
Thankfully this waste of space will (rightly) be getting her marching orders following labour’s annhilation in Wales on May 7th. No figure in the uk labour party since neil kinnock in 1979 has done more to try and undermine devolution for Wales than Stevens
Apparently Jo Stevens is “our voice” in Keir Starmer’s cabinet. No wonder Wales continues to be underfunded, still suffers from historical poverty and as a country languish at the bottom of most league tables with her heading the Welsh Office. She is the most toxic Anti-Wales Anti-Welsh secretary ever to hold office. Her distaste towards Wales, Welsh devolution, and disrespect of our Senedd Cymru institution, speaks volumes. This is why Welsh Labour in Cardiff will pay dearly in May when Labour’s knee on our neck is finally removed allowing us to breath freely. Sure, Jo Stevens might not listen to… Read more »
A glance on the Senedd website shows an oversight – she has already attended the inquiry! So the request is actually for a second appearance on the inquiry. She’s probably not the person you want at a Senedd committee; perhaps Peter Kyle, or junior minister from beis, is a tad more useful
In any case, it seems a reasonable reason to turn down if new policy is being developed in Westminster. Probably the most important change at the moment is to wait and see the impact of EU CBAM taxes (came into 1st Jan) on UK steel market
Isn’t it for the committee to decide if she has value to add. By all means bring others.
In my view, the committee is wasting her time. I’m sure that’s her interpretation as well. And it’s a senedd committee, they shouldn’t be routinely calling westminister politicians. They should be focusing on what they can control in Cardiff. And what’s the point in calling here if the UK wide strategy and mechanism to deliver it are not in place? I’m not a fan of her, but she’s doing the right thing in this case.
Are you suggesting that RT abused his position as committee chair to play political games?
Amend the Wales Act so the Wales Office works for the Senedd and not, as it seems, the other way round.