Burnham convenes summit of Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish leaders

The National Economic Council, originally set up by Gordon Brown’s administration after the 2008 financial crisis, has been relaunched under Burnham’s leadership.

Earlier, a gathering convened government ministers alongside mayors from English local authorities.

Plaid Cymru ministers are also pressing for a revision of the Barnett formula, which determines the block grant from Westminster that funds the majority of the Welsh government’s budget.

Burnham has previously argued that the Barnett formula fails to adequately reflect Wales’ needs, noting in Port Talbot that he is ‘well aware of the concerns’.

He added, however, ‘I must be honest — there are limits to what I can achieve given the time available.’

‘At present, I cannot guarantee that a review will be undertaken.’

At Tata’s Llanwern plant, located roughly 50 miles east along the M4, several employees have been reassigned to lighter duties, with unions attributing the shift to competition from low‑cost steel imports.

This development follows a UK government decision to increase import quotas for steel from countries such as South Korea, India, and Vietnam.

‘The quotas we have established must remain under continual review,’ Burnham stated.

‘The global steel sector is in flux, evolving rapidly and undergoing constant change,’ he observed.

‘Our priority must be to support the British steel industry as effectively as possible, while also safeguarding the broader economy and striking the appropriate balance on these matters,’ he added.

Tata’s Port Talbot site is currently transitioning to greener steel production, including the construction of a new electric arc furnace.

‘This transition presents significant challenges and cannot succeed without strong backing from the UK government for the local workforce,’ the prime minister remarked.

‘Ultimately, we are pursuing the correct path by managing an industrial transition, moving from one era to the next,’ he said.

‘If successful, Wales could host Europe’s first green steel production facility and potentially become the world’s largest producer of green steel.’

‘What an achievement that would be for Wales!'”

Earlier, the Welsh government stated: ‘We welcome the opportunity to discuss shared challenges, such as fostering growth and investment across all represented nations and supporting families coping with the ongoing cost‑of‑living crisis.’

‘These talks will run parallel to further discussions with the UK government aimed at advancing Wales’ broader priorities, including equitable funding and the expansion of devolved powers.’

The talks will continue in Cardiff.

Ap Iorwerth held his inaugural meeting with the new prime minister on the sidelines of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick asserted that Wales requires concrete action if the prime minister is genuinely committed to alleviating the financial pressure on Welsh families.

Reform UK’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, remarked ahead of the visit that Burnham could well be the last Labour prime minister to visit Wales.

‘We have no doubt that once the prime minister finally calls a general election and ceases to avoid confrontation, Labour’s presence in Wales will come to an end,’ he added.

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