Rishi Sunak was “not available” for urgent talks requested by the Welsh First Minister about the potential loss of thousands of jobs from the closure of Tata Steel’s blast furnaces at its plant in Port Talbot, South Wales.
Mark Drakeford wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for a phone call on the redundancies.
But he was told by Downing Street that Mr Sunak was “not available to take the call today”, according to a spokesman for Mr Drakeford.
Job losses
It came after Tata confirmed plans to shutter blast furnaces at its biggest UK plant and make steel more environmentally friendly, which needs a smaller workforce.
The plans are subject to consultation but could result in the loss of up to 2,800 jobs, with most affected in the next 18 months.
In his letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Drakeford wrote: “I am aware that you have been briefed by Tata Steel on the closure of their blast furnaces and the imminent loss of thousands of jobs, mainly in Port Talbot, South Wales.
“I am sure you will agree with me the loss of production of virgin steel at scale will have a profound impact on the UK’s economy, and I would ask if you and I could have an urgent discussion regarding this strategic matter at your earliest convenience.”
The Prime Minister on Friday insisted the Government is “absolutely committed” to British steelmaking and had provided up to £500 million to support Tata’s transformation.
He told broadcasters the entire plant would have been closed and all 8,000 jobs lost without the support.
Welsh government “did not participate”
Asked why the Welsh Government had not been involved in the discussions, Mr Sunak said: “The Welsh Government did not participate in that and that’s because we cared about those jobs, and the future of steelmaking in Wales and the UK, because there’s an announcement coming later, but it’s important that we wait for that.”
No 10 also complained that the Welsh Government had done nothing to save jobs and had not contributed the plan.
Mr Drakeford earlier said the news about the future of steelmaking at the plant “will be devastating for steel workers and communities in Wales”.
He added: “We will carry on working to protect the future of Welsh steel production and we will do all we can to support all those affected by today’s announcement.”
Labour’s shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens said: “What is the point of Rishi Sunak? Tata workers’ livelihoods are on the line and he won’t even answer his phone.
“If there was a UK Labour government right now, Welsh steelworkers would not have woken up to this news today.
“Labour has earmarked £3 billion investment to ensure the transition to green steel comes with jobs in Wales.”
Related: ‘Like a pin to a balloon’ – Banking jobs in London down 79% since Brexit