LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board met on26March 2026.
The Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, in her role as Chair of the Transition Board, met with members to discuss the UK Government's Steel Strategy, published by the Department for Business and Tradeon 19 March. Members heardaboutthe action the UK Government is taking to protect domestic steelmaking and strengthen the wider supply chain for critical national infrastructure and defence.
The Board also had the following updates:
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From the Secretary of State for Wales on the announcement that the UK Government has agreed the terms of a grant of up to £64 million to Associated British Ports, to support the development of the UK's first floating offshore wind‑ready port at Port Talbot.This fundingrepresentsa crucial first step towards realising the benefits of floating offshore wind in Wales.
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The final Transition Board intervention, the Economic Growth and Investment Fund has now opened to full applications. The fund is made up of £6.78 million from the UK Government and £5 million from Tata Steel UK and is intended to create high-quality jobs and attract long-term investment. The deadline for applications is 15May.**
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From the Secretary of State for Wales onthe signing of the Celtic Freeport Memorandum of Understandingon 18 March.The first tranche of seed capital funding will be released during April 2026.
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From Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for theEconomy, Energy and Planning on theWelsh Government's Renewable Energy Sector Deal.
Membersalsoreviewed theprogress of the Transition Board's funds so far, where circa:
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60companies in Tata Steel UK's supply chain have received grants from the Supply Chain Transition Fund.
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140businesses in the local area have received grants from the Resilience and Business Growth Funds.
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85 new businesses have been created using grants for equipment and training through the Start-Up Fund.
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2,520training courses have beenprocuredand1,100 qualifications and accreditations funded.
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Despite over2,600people losing their jobs from TSUK so far, and many more in the supply chain, there has not beena risein unemployment benefits in the region sinceSeptember 2024.
Those in attendance included:RtHon JoStevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales;Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning;Tim Rutter,Director of Communications & Public Affairs,Tata Steel UK;Stephen Kinnock, MP forAberafanMaesteg;David Rees, MS for Aberavon;Luke FletcherMSforthe region of South Wales West;AnneJessopp&SarahWilliams-Gardener, independent membersof the Board;&Ian Williams,Unite the Union Wales.
**Economic Growth and Investment Fund - NPT Council
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
