NEWPORT East AM John Griffiths has sought Welsh Government reassurances over the future of Orb Steelworks, and has called on ministers to ensure the issues facing the plant are "not forgotten" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Griffiths wrote to Ken Skates AM, the Minister for economy, transport and North Wales, to remind him that the Orb site should be part of the "necessary rebuilding" of Gwent's economy once the pandemic is over.

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The Orb site was mothballed in December by owners Tata, and the site was also advertised as a development opportunity in January, but there has since been renewed hope for the site and its workers.

In his reply to Mr Griffiths' letter, Mr Skates said: "You have my assurance we are very much alive to the Orb works and are looking at all options for helping to restart the economy using existing key assets."

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Commenting on Mr Skates' reply, Mr Griffiths added: “I have had a number of people understandably anxious about the situation at Orb Steelworks – these are people’s jobs and livelihoods. That’s why I am pleased to hear the minister saying he is alive to the situation in Newport.

“I previously raised this with him in the Senedd last month. Jessica (Morden) and I will continue to highlight the situation at the Orb site at every opportunity. Our steelwork jobs are critical to the Newport economy and even more so when we rebuild the economy after the immediate crisis of this pandemic is over.”

Jessica Morden MP added: “I have always said that Orb could and should have a future, and I am reassured that the Welsh Government still recognise its potential too.

“As we look to restart our economy we need the UK Government to acknowledge that we need a vibrant steel and manufacturing sector to obtain the materials which will be vital to future industries such as the production of electrical vehicles.”