Port Talbot: Tata Steel job cuts could gut community, locals say

Harlequins player Jon Bamsey said he knew of people “of all ages trying to find jobs within a 20 or 30 mile radius”.

“It’s going to be difficult. It’s going to force people to Bristol, mid-Wales, Fishguard, if not further afield. There are a lot of colleagues who are going down to Hinkley Point in Somerset.”

The 31-year -old electrical engineer added: “It’s going to have a profound effect on the community because of the exodus of people going further afield to look for jobs to support their family.”

Daniel Mainwaring, who used to work at the steelworks as a contractor, moved to Hinkley Point a few years ago – and said he was aware of other contractors looking to join him in Somerset due to the expected job cuts in south Wales.

“I know of some mechanical fitters and welders looking to come down here,” he said.

Fellow Quins player, Joshua Pugh, 33, lost his job of 14 years when the steelworks’ Morfa coke ovens were forced to close in March due to “operational safety” concerns, according to Tata Steel.

Mr Pugh is part of a team responsible for decommissioning the coke ovens, but he expects his time at the works to be over later this year.