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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Corus assurances over Welsh jobs | Corus assurances over Welsh jobs |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Corus has sought to reassure workers in Wales over steel jobs after accepting a takeover offer from an Indian rival. | Corus has sought to reassure workers in Wales over steel jobs after accepting a takeover offer from an Indian rival. |
| The company, which employs 7,900 in Wales, mostly at Port Talbot, Llanwern and Shotton, said the £4.3bn offer from Tata Steel was "not about job losses." | The company, which employs 7,900 in Wales, mostly at Port Talbot, Llanwern and Shotton, said the £4.3bn offer from Tata Steel was "not about job losses." |
| Chief executive Philippe Varin said it was about "building a global company which will have an outstanding position in the world". | Chief executive Philippe Varin said it was about "building a global company which will have an outstanding position in the world". |
| Welsh secretary Peter Hain earlier said he was seeking "urgent assurances". | Welsh secretary Peter Hain earlier said he was seeking "urgent assurances". |
| He said the plants' contribution was "vital" to the Welsh economy. | He said the plants' contribution was "vital" to the Welsh economy. |
| Mr Hain said he would be contacting Tata and Corus executives and the Indian High Commission. | Mr Hain said he would be contacting Tata and Corus executives and the Indian High Commission. |
| "This take-over could present enormous opportunities for the plants because of direct links to the huge burgeoning Asian steel markets," he said. | "This take-over could present enormous opportunities for the plants because of direct links to the huge burgeoning Asian steel markets," he said. |
| "But I will be keeping the situation closely monitored." | "But I will be keeping the situation closely monitored." |
| Corus said it currently employed 3,166 people at Port Talbot, 1,800 at Llanwern and 1,000 at Shotton | Corus said it currently employed 3,166 people at Port Talbot, 1,800 at Llanwern and 1,000 at Shotton |
| It also has processing units at Llanelli and Ammanford. | It also has processing units at Llanelli and Ammanford. |
| If approved by Corus shareholders, the deal would create the world's fifth-biggest steel firm. | If approved by Corus shareholders, the deal would create the world's fifth-biggest steel firm. |
| 'Outstanding position' | 'Outstanding position' |
| Conservative assembly economic spokesman Alun Cairns said it was "absolutely essential" workers were reassured about their employment prospects, pay and pensions. | Conservative assembly economic spokesman Alun Cairns said it was "absolutely essential" workers were reassured about their employment prospects, pay and pensions. |
| "I would have concerns for the industry in Wales if there is a downturn in the market as it is cheaper to manufacture steel in countries like India than it is in Europe." | |
| South Wales West AM Dai Lloyd AM said he was worried about steel slab production moving to cheaper labour markets. | |
| ¿It is vital that the Labour governments in both Cardiff and Westminster do all in their power to ensure that Corus jobs in Wales are safe,¿ he said. | |
| Corus chief executive Philippe Varin told the BBC that the deal was "not about job losses." | Corus chief executive Philippe Varin told the BBC that the deal was "not about job losses." |
| He said: "There will not be any immediate moves because this deal is not about plant relocation. It is about growth." | He said: "There will not be any immediate moves because this deal is not about plant relocation. It is about growth." |
| A spokesman for the company in Wales added: "There is a lot of enthusiasm for what has happened today down here in Wales. This is a business decision and it is all about growth and improvement." | A spokesman for the company in Wales added: "There is a lot of enthusiasm for what has happened today down here in Wales. This is a business decision and it is all about growth and improvement." |
| The steel union Community, said it was "urgently seeking talks with the company on a range of issues, in particular its plans for investment in the UK". | The steel union Community, said it was "urgently seeking talks with the company on a range of issues, in particular its plans for investment in the UK". |