Future of steel jobs 'uncertain'

It is feared jobs are at risk at Llanwern

The future of thousands of jobs in the Welsh steel industry remains uncertain, after two top-level meetings between Government Ministers and senior management at Corus.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan joined Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy at talks with Corus's chief executive at the Department of Trade and Industry in London on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile Economic Development minister Mike German met local management in south Wales.

There is no let up in the speculation that Corus is about to make some very tough decisions - a "restructuring" that could spell the end of one of the companies major UK plants.

Llanwern outside Newport is reckoned to be especially at risk - along with Redcar in the north of England.

While a decision is probably unlikely before the New Year - there is very little festive spirit among the 6,000 people who depend on Llanwern for work.

The serious financial problems facing Corus make it unlikely that management will be about to offer the politicians any guarantees on the future of Llanwern - or any of the company's other four plants in Wales.