Supply chain businesses affected by the closure of the final furnace operating at Tata Steel's plant in Port Talbot will be able to access support, according to the local council.
Businesses affected by the closure will be able to assess their eligibility for support through the Supply Chain Transition Flexible Fund as part of an £80m fund provided by the UK Government.
The fund will be delivered through a partnership between Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government’s Business Wales.
Tata Steel is replacing the furnace with an electric arc furnace which will use UK-sourced scrap steel, but that will not be operational until 2028.
It is estimated that the transition will lead to nearly 3,000 job losses.
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Steve Hunt said: ‘I welcome the launch of this new fund which will provide vital support to the many businesses that have grown to play a key role within Tata Steel’s supply chain.
‘It is critical that such companies are supported to adapt to the company’s proposed changes to steel production in Port Talbot and elsewhere and Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to working alongside its Transition Board partners to do just that.’
