First Minister, Carwyn Jones, today thanked Tata Steel for its confidence and belief in Wales as he visited its Port Talbot works to see the rebuilt Blast Furnace No. 4 in operation.

The First Minister said: "The £185 million rebuild of the No. 4 Blast Furnace at Port Talbot - the largest industrial engineering project undertaken in the UK last year - demonstrates Tata Steel's continued belief in its Wales operations and the confidence in its Welsh workforce.

 

"Whilst this is a difficult time for the steel industry internationally, the rebuilt blast furnace is a substantial investment in the long-term future of the plant.

"We maintain a very close relationship with the company – both in Wales, and in India – and remain committed to doing everything we can to support Tata Steel’s important presence in Wales and the valuable contribution it makes to the Welsh economy."