Jessica O'ConnorTUC Cymru has welcomed the UK Government’s new 10-year Industrial Strategy, describing it as a much-needed plan to revitalise industry in Wales.
The strategy includes £4bn for advanced manufacturing, the establishment of a semiconductor centre in Swansea, the creation of a Welsh Defence Growth Cluster, and £30m in support for innovation projects across the country.
Shavanah Taj, general secretary of TUC Cymru, said the strategy represents a shift after years of limited investment in Welsh industry.
The strategy outlines several key reforms aimed at supporting heavy industry, including changes to cut levies for energy-intensive sectors and measures to speed up grid connections.
Taj noted that these steps will help lower costs for Welsh producers of steel, ceramics, chemicals, and glass.
“That’s significant progress towards achieving international competitiveness and safeguarding local jobs,” she said.
A notable part of the investment includes £250m for the automotive and aerospace sectors.
This will support, among other projects, an expansion at the Vishay facility in Newport.
Taj highlighted that this will result in “over hundreds of good quality jobs” and marks a significant boost for Wales’s high-tech manufacturing base.
She also welcomed the backing for semiconductor, defence and innovation sectors, saying it shows the economic value of alignment between governments in Cardiff and Westminster.
She said:“The significant investment in the semi-conductor, defence and innovation sectors in Wales is also welcome, and further proof that having two Labour governments either side of the M4 is good for the Welsh economy, Welsh businesses and working people in Wales.”
The strategy includes a commitment to workforce planning in partnership with workers and unions, particularly in emerging sectors such as clean energy.
Taj described this as “a significant step forward for Wales’s skilled trades workforce and a just transition,” signalling the importance of union engagement in shaping future job opportunities.
Taj concluded by emphasising the broader opportunity the strategy presents for Wales.
She added: “This is our chance to build well-paid, unionised jobs across Wales — in aerospace, semiconductors, clean energy and beyond. TUC Cymru stand ready to work with UK and Welsh governments, employers and unions to deliver for workers in every corner of the country.”
