Thousands of jobs in Wales face uncertainty due to proposed policies by the Reform and Tory parties, which trade unions warn could echo the industrial decline witnessed during Margaret Thatcher’s era.
Trade unions have raised concerns about the potential impact of Reform’s plans to eliminate net zero goals and reduce renewable energy subsidies, jeopardizing the feasibility of clean industrial advancements. This shift could deter vital investments in Welsh industries, potentially endangering 39,873 industrial positions. Moreover, decreasing reliance on domestic clean energy may heighten the UK’s dependency on imported gas, leaving the economy vulnerable to global events like the recent conflict in Ukraine.
The situation is exacerbated by years of neglect from the Conservative government, pushing Welsh factories and manufacturing facilities to the edge. Notably, Tata’s closure of blast furnaces in Port Talbot resulted in significant job losses among steelworkers.
While the Conservative party also poses a threat to employment, analysts suggest that their policy implementation is less probable. In contrast, parties like Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Greens, and the Liberal Democrats have shown stronger commitments to supporting and expanding clean industrial initiatives.
An analysis highlights that local authorities in Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot, and Carmarthenshire are particularly susceptible to job losses, with over 2,000 industrial roles at risk in each region. The study also identifies 7,765 auto workers, 7,544 metals workers, and 5,813 plastics and rubber workers, both directly and indirectly affected within the supply chain.
TUC Cymru President Tom Hoyles emphasized the urgent need for cross-party action to safeguard Welsh industries and ensure their prosperity in the modern era. To address these challenges, industrial workers and the TUC are launching the “Save Welsh Industry – No More Site Closures” campaign, urging policymakers in Westminster and Cardiff Bay to implement measures to reduce industrial electricity costs and accelerate clean energy investments.
The campaign advocates for efforts to prevent job offshoring and emissions, promote domestic industries, and prioritize the use of Welsh-made materials in significant infrastructure projects. In response, a spokesperson from Reform UK Wales underscored the importance of balancing clean energy pursuits with preserving industrial vitality, criticizing the impact of mainstream parties’ net zero agenda on Wales’ industrial landscape.