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Peter Byrne/PA Wire
UK News

"Concern and worry" for Port Talbot says Welsh pastor

by Hannah Tooley

The government is calling on the steel giant to give enough time for buyers to be found for its UK business in a bid to save thousands of jobs.

Pastor Jeremy Bailey, from nearby Bethlehem Evangelical Church, told Premier about the mood on the ground.

He said: "As far as Port Talbot itself is concerned, there's a great deal of concern about what's happening and the potential losses - and the impact that it might have on the town in terms of the economy.

"So above all, it's concern and worry for the future."

Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Unions have reacted with shock and anger at the company's decision on Tuesday night to sell its UK assets, including the country's biggest plant at Port Talbot in South Wales.

Pastor Jeremy Bailey told Premier his church will hold a special service, "so that we can let the steelworkers and their family know that we're praying for them and we will support them in any ways we can support them."

"There are a lot of churches in the town... that preach the gospel. So one thing we're hoping to do is have a united service at the end of April which will be a united service of Christians in the town."

Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Labour has led calls for the Government to intervene to save the industry from total collapse, possibly by taking a public stake in the industry.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the Welsh government did not have the resources to take over the running of steel plants in Wales until a buyer is found.

He Port Talbot had been a modern plant which has had investment and was going through a "temporary difficultly". He added that when the market picks up again Port Talbot will be in a good position.

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to Pastor Jeremy Bailey here:

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to Revd Peter Vickers Urban and Industrial Chaplin for North Lincolnshire here:

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