‘Devastating’: Port Talbot steelworks to shut furnaces and shed up to 2,800 jobs

Tata confirms shutdown and unions threaten strikes at the plant amid fury in south Wales community

• It's a betrayal': Port Talbot anger over Tata Steel decision
• Nils Pratley: Tata decision goes beyond Wales and even steel

The owner of Port Talbot steelworks has confirmed that its two blast furnaces will shut down, in what unions have condemned as an absolutely devastating" blow that will cost up to 2,800 jobs directly and many more in the south Wales community.

Port Talbot's parent company, the Indian-owned Tata Steel, said it was not feasible or affordable" to adopt trade union proposals to continue production at the loss-making plant during a transition to greener, cheaper steelmaking operations.