Labour accused of dirty tricks as row over future of Maesteg Hospital intensifies

Concerns about the hospital have been building for months as Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board develops plans for a new Health and Wellbeing Centre for the Llynfi Valley. The board says it has access to around £30 million of Welsh Government funding to expand local services, but that the existing hospital site cannot be redeveloped within that budget. That position has fuelled fears about the loss of beds, the future of the building and whether the community is being properly consulted.

The latest flashpoint came after Labour representatives claimed that protest organisers, including Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Dean Ronan, had “declined to engage” with the health board. The allegation appeared in a series of letters signed by Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, David Rees MS, Stephen Kinnock MP and local councillors, who accused some campaigners of “politicising” the issue.

Labour representatives wrote:

We now understand that you have indeed reached out to the main organisers – including a candidate for the Liberal Democrats – and they have declined to engage with you.

They also warned that the £30 million investment must not be put at risk.

Labour representatives wrote:

We certainly do not want to lose the £30m which Welsh Government have already put forward… this matter is of such huge importance it should be well beyond party politics.

Dean Ronan has rejected the claim outright, saying he has never been contacted by the health board and could not have refused a meeting that was never offered.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

Not once have I been contacted about the future of Maesteg Hospital. I could not have declined a meeting that was never offered. If Labour or the health board have evidence to the contrary, they should publish it immediately.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the campaign to protect the hospital has always been community‑led and cross‑party, involving the League of Friends, independent councillors and Plaid Cymru candidates. They argue that the focus should be on the future of services, not political point‑scoring.

David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson, said:

This looks like a classic dirty tricks operation — brief against local campaigners, make untrue claims, and hope nobody challenges them.

On Sunday, Dean Ronan issued a new public statement confirming that he had been invited to meet Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies to discuss the future of healthcare in Maesteg. He said he was open to meeting, but only if a public apology was issued for what he described as “false statements” made about him earlier in the week.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

I informed Huw that I would be open to meeting with him and sharing my views, on the condition that a public apology was issued by himself and the local councillors who attached their names to false statements made about me earlier this week. I was told that Huw would not issue a public apology, as he did not wish to focus on ‘politics or personalities’. As a result, I have declined the meeting.”

He said the issue was not political, but personal.

Mr Ronan added:

Morally, it does not sit right with me to allow lies to be told or left unchallenged. These are my values as a person, not a political position. The people of Maesteg deserve representatives who are honest and transparent at all times. Integrity and honesty matter more to me than any party policy.”

He added that he remained open to dialogue if a public apology was issued.

What the health board says it is planning

Behind the political row sits a much larger debate about what the health board is proposing for the Llynfi Valley.

The board says it wants to deliver a wider range of services locally, including urgent care, expanded outpatient clinics, mental health support, integrated community teams and space for third‑sector wellbeing organisations. It argues that these improvements cannot be delivered within the existing hospital buildings, which would cost at least £42 million to redevelop and potentially up to £48 million if further structural issues are uncovered.

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:

We have not taken any decisions to close Maesteg Hospital or sell the site. Whatever the future holds for this important, much‑loved building will take into account the views of local people and the heritage of the site.

The board says it is exploring a potential new site near Ewenny Road, close to Maesteg town centre and the railway station, because it offers better access and can accommodate the size of building required for modern services. It also says it is considering alternatives to hospital‑based community beds, including block‑booking beds in local nursing homes for rehabilitation, reablement and palliative care.

The health board said in its latest update:

Local people who are anxious about the future deserve the facts. We will continue to meet with representatives and provide information through other means.

Calls for transparency and engagement

Labour representatives say they share concerns about the future of the hospital building and have urged the board to protect the site’s heritage. They argue that the building is iconic and must not be left “empty or unloved”.

Labour representatives wrote:

There is no‑one in these communities who would allow this iconic building to lie empty or unloved or unused.

They also said they have pressed the health board to meet urgently with the League of Friends and all elected representatives, and that the board has now agreed to do so.

The health board says it has already held engagement events and will carry out further public consultation once more detailed work on both the existing site and the potential new site is complete. A decision on the preferred location is expected in early 2026.

For now, the political row continues to overshadow the process, with both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting the facts. What remains clear is that the future of Maesteg Hospital — its services, its beds and its building — has become one of the most contentious local issues in years, and the community is demanding answers.

Senedd pays tribute to Richard Burton on centenary of his birth

Aberavon MS David Rees led the commemoration, describing Burton as a trailblazer for aspiring actors, an inspiration to people across Wales, and a global icon whose legacy continues to resonate.

“On 10 November, 1925, Richard Walter Jenkins Jr was born in his family home in Pontrhydyfen,” Mr Rees told Members. “His father was a miner. His mother worked in the local pub, the Miners Arms. As the 12th of 13 siblings, he grew up in a Welsh‑speaking household until his mother, Edith, died tragically when he was just two.”

Burton was raised by his sister Cecilia and her husband in Taibach, in a community shaped by coal, steel and chapel life. His talent was spotted at Port Talbot Secondary School by teacher Philip Burton, who became his mentor and whose surname Richard later adopted.

“Richard’s two passions were acting and rugby, and it was the former in which he truly excelled,” Mr Rees said. “Performing in local plays and eisteddfodau, he developed his acting skills and built a strong reputation. Following his time at Oxford University, he began a professional career on stage across the UK before moving into film, where the world became aware of his talent.”

Burton went on to become one of the most recognisable actors of his generation, nominated for an Oscar seven times and starring in films including Cleopatra, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Despite his international fame, Mr Rees said Burton remained deeply connected to his roots.

“He retained strong links with Port Talbot, proudly promoting his Welsh identity internationally and returning regularly to Pontrhydyfen – the one place where he felt he truly belonged,” he said.

Marking the centenary, Mr Rees told the Senedd it was fitting to honour Burton’s achievements and his pride in being Welsh.

“Richard would have been 100 this week, but he sadly died well before his time at the age of just 58. A short life, but a great legacy. We will never forget that talent or that voice – and what a memorable voice. Thank you for everything, Richard.”

#aberavon #actor #davidReesMs #film #pontrhydyfen #portTalbot #richardBurton #richardBurtonCentenary #senedd #taibach

Steelworkers face ‘catastrophic’ Christmas pay cuts as Tata plans extended shutdown

Aberavon MS David Rees warned that Tata Steel’s plans for an “elongated festive shutdown” at three Welsh sites would leave families struggling at the worst possible time of year.

The hot mill in Port Talbot, along with production lines in Llanwern and Trostre, are all expected to be affected.

‘Disastrous for communities’

Speaking during Senedd questions on Tuesday (15 October), Mr Rees said workers had been told to expect just 65% of their basic salary during the shutdown.

“This is new,” he said. “Normally in furloughs and shutdowns, staff get their normal pay. This would see steelworkers losing income at a time of year when families need that money most. It’s Christmas time… so it’s disastrous for the communities.”

The Aberavon MS, who chairs the Senedd’s cross‑party group on steel, said confidence in Tata was “rock bottom” following the closure of Port Talbot’s blast furnaces earlier this year, which cost more than 2,000 jobs.

Wider pressures on steel

Mr Rees also pointed to the wider storm clouds gathering over the industry. He warned that 50% tariffs imposed by the United States, combined with looming EU moves to cut import quotas, were squeezing Welsh steelmakers from both sides. At the same time, cheap imports from countries such as China and Vietnam were being “dumped” into UK markets, undercutting domestic production.

These concerns echo issues Swansea Bay News has reported on in recent months. Local Labour representatives have pressed the UK Government to raise tariffs to protect the industry, while Plaid Cymru has argued that re-joining the single market would shield Welsh steel from EU restrictions. Earlier this year, Tata itself confirmed it would halt production at Port Talbot and Llanelli over Christmas amid weak demand, and fears have grown since the EU announced its 50% tariff plans. Alongside these challenges, Tata has also been pushing ahead with its £1.25bn “green steel” project in Port Talbot, which includes transitioning to an electric‑arc furnace.

Calls for action

Mr Rees urged both the Welsh and UK Governments to come forward with a clear strategy to protect the industry.

“The quotas need to be addressed, the tariffs need to be raised and we need to take action to stop outside steel taking the marketplace, otherwise we’re going to see more and more of this happening and it’s going to decimate our industries,” he said.

Welsh Government response

Deputy economy minister Jack Sargeant said Welsh ministers were in regular talks with Tata and trade unions. He confirmed Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans had met UK Government colleagues over the weekend to discuss the proposed pause and the impact of EU quota changes.

A meeting of the Tata transition board is scheduled for Wednesday (16 October).

Mr Sargeant said the Welsh Government was working with Westminster on a steel strategy but could not yet provide a timeline.

Cross‑party concern

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher echoed warnings that the 65% pay packets would be “catastrophic” for families in South Wales West, adding that contractors were already being served notice.

Conservative MS Samuel Kurtz called on ministers to hold Tata’s “feet to the fire” to ensure the company delivers on its promise to transition to an electric‑arc furnace in Port Talbot.

‘Future of Wales’

Mr Rees concluded: “The future of steel is crucial to the future of Wales. It’s the largest and longest foundational industry still here – and we cannot let it go.”

Related coverage on the steel crisis

Port Talbot steel crisis: Local Labour MP and MS demand UK Government raise tariffs
Calls for urgent tariff action to protect Welsh steel jobs.

Tata Steel to halt production at Port Talbot and Llanelli over Christmas
Weak demand prompts festive shutdown at key Welsh sites.

Plaid MS calls for UK to rejoin single market as EU steel tariffs loom
Political pressure mounts over looming EU restrictions.

EU’s 50% steel tariffs spark fears for Tata jobs in Port Talbot and Llanelli
Concerns grow over the impact of EU trade measures.

Tata Steel begins new project at Port Talbot in £1.25bn green plan
Investment in electric‑arc furnace marks shift to greener steelmaking.

#DavidReesMS #industry #Llanelli #PortTalbotSteelworks #Senedd #steel #TataSteel #TataSteelworks #TrostreTinplateWorks

Port Talbot steel crisis: Local Labour MP and MS demand UK Government raise tariffs to protect industry

Tata Steel confirmed earlier today that it will suspend production across all three of its South Wales sites — Port Talbot, Trostre in Llanelli, and Llanwern in Newport — for up to five weeks over Christmas. The company told staff the decision was due to “continuing low market demand”.

“UK steel is being undercut”

In a joint statement, the two Labour politicians said President Trump’s decision to sharply increase tariffs on steel imports into the US had triggered a “devastating knock‑on impact” for UK producers.

They warned that steel originally destined for America is now being diverted and “dumped” into Europe at cut‑price levels, undercutting Port Talbot and other UK producers.

“This diversion and dumping are leading to a collapse in domestic demand for Port Talbot steel, as we are being undercut on price by a glut of product from places like China and Vietnam,” they said.

“UK steel makers are under attack, and we must take action to defend them through enhanced trade defence measures.”

Call for urgent government action

Kinnock and Rees said the UK must follow the EU in tightening trade defence rules:

“There is only one way to respond to this, which is for the UK government to urgently increase tariffs and decrease quotas, to stop our steel being unfairly undercut. The last country to protect its steel industry will be the first country to lose it.”

They confirmed they have already sought a meeting with ministers to press the case for urgent intervention.

Extended stoppages confirmed

According to Tata’s internal briefing to staff, the shutdowns will run as follows:

• Llanwern (pickle line): 27 November – 5 December
• Trostre (tinplate, Llanelli): 1 December – 8 January
• Port Talbot (hot rolled products): 8 December – 8 January

The stoppages are far longer than the traditional two‑week festive pause and follow Tata’s earlier announcement this morning, first reported by Swansea Bay News, that production at Port Talbot and Trostre would be halted over Christmas. The latest update confirms the shutdowns will now extend across all three South Wales operations.

Related Tata Steel coverage

• Tata Steel to halt production at Port Talbot and Llanelli over Christmas
• £1.25bn green plan: Tata begins new project at Port Talbot
• EU’s 50% steel tariffs spark fears for Tata jobs in South Wales
• Plaid MS calls for UK to rejoin single market as tariffs loom

#DavidReesMS #PortTalbot #PortTalbotSteelworks #steel #steelTariff #StephenKinnockMP #tariffs #TataSteel #TataSteelworks #WelshLabour