Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to ensure a joint package of financial and other support between the UK and Welsh Governments for the steel industry in Wales.

I am involved in ongoing discussions with steel companies in Wales to understand how UK Government can best support the industry during this crisis. I am working closely with the Under-Secretary of State for Industry, the Member for Stratford-upon-Avon, and Welsh Government to discuss support for the steel sector to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19. The Under-Secretary of State for Industry, the Member for Stratford-upon-Avon, has been holding weekly calls with the Devolved Administrations and regular calls with the steel sector, including individual steel companies, trade unions and representatives of the Welsh & Scottish Governments.

The Government will continue to work closely with the Welsh & Scottish Government to support the steel industry throughout the UK, to ensure it can maintain safe production at this time, and ensure they can access the comprehensive package of support made available. The Government has announced an unprecedented financial package to support businesses and has committed to do whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of this coronavirus pandemic.