31/03/2016 BBC Wales Today

help the steel industry but has been criticised by Labour and steel

Welcome to Wales Today: Our top story.

Emergency talks on the future of the steel industry -

the UK Government insists it's doing all it can,

We're not ruling anything out. I do not believe nationalisation is the

right answer, we want to secure a long-term future for Port Talbot.

Has the Government ignored the plight of the Welsh people?

Will last a Welsh Secretary if they have a plan to save jobs.

The future of thousands of steel workers is now a big election issue.

So what can those who want power here

Also tonight - there's exactly five weeks until you get

to cast your vote and decide who will

So what are the parties proposing, the key battlegrounds?

We'll be asking what do you want from the next Welsh government?

The Prime Minister's warning as the fight to save thousands

David Cameron chaired a meeting of key ministers

He says his Government is doing everything it can to save Britain's

But critics say its handling of the crisis has been "a shambles".

From Westminster, here's our parliamentary correspondent,

A lot at stake as cabinet ministers arrived in Downing Street

Are you going to save thousands of welsh jobs"?

The meeting, chaired by the prime minister,

We were concerned that there was the chance that there

been an outright closure of Port Talbot and that is why

we worked very hard with the company to make sure there is a proper sales

process and we'll be doing everything we can to encourage

people to come forward but this is a difficult situation,

That warning - no guarantee of success - will be widely seen

as an attempt to manage expectations as Tata Steel tries to offload

a business that loses a million pounds a day.

The prime minister said he wasn't ruling anything out -

but he didn't believe nationalisation was the

Labour says UK ministers should have done more in the run-up to Tata's

decision to sell. It has been a shambles. A blend of incompetence

and indifference. It wasn't Anna Soubry with me in on by? Some of

that delegation who went to India are not backing Port Talbot hoping

they can make a difference to the prospects for Britain's biggest

steelworks. -- now back in Port Talbot. We need support while we are

looking for a buyer or the next step and that is going to be essential

going forward. I don't believe renationalisation is the right way

to go for the simple reason that we don't want a hand-out or any

charity. All we want is an even playing field and a fair crack of

the whip. Tata also has operations in Newport, Llanelli and Shotton.

Together they employ almost 3000 people. Today is the 36th

anniversary of the web works behind us lost 6500 men in one day. That

happened under a nationalised industry. We need short-term help to

ensure the businesses around Tata steel are still viable for when a

buyer is found. The eyes of the world are on Port Talbot tonight.

The UK Government claims to intervene to prevent its overnight

closure and give breathing space to the search for a buyer but it may

not be enough to stop the sun setting on an iconic industry.

Livestock to the Welsh Secretary now. What exactly was discussed at

the meeting today. This was a range of meetings, we have been meeting

for several months about the prospects and knew what was likely

to happen on Monday nights but if plan came into place to not rule any

option outs but we do not believe nationalisation is the way forward.

The Chancellor speaking today said the intervention by the UK

Government prevented the overnight closure of Port Talbot. What was

that intervention? A package of an energy intensive industries, you

change the procurement rules, to make sure British Steel has the best

prospects of was complex. Any last-minute intervention? Bay has

been a positive engagement with Parker. Papa said have been intense

engagement with the UK Government. -- Tata Steel. I went -- we are

actively engaged. You say that but why weren't you mum by talking to

the bosses of Tata Steel. Why did you read to the unions and a local

MP. Being in Mumbai would not have made any difference. Our

relationship with Tata is very close and we are the main determined to

maintain that close relationship. We want to get to position where the

prospect of the sale but this much closer now than it would have been

potentially. That is what I spoke to about the local MP before he went to

Mumbai. What we must do now is work together, both the local community,

UK Government and Welsh Government and the unions. Any private buyer

wants to see a positive engagement from all parties rather than any

political fall outs that may happen as a result of local tensions. I can

understand that but our interest is in local jobs, the local community

as well as the UK National strategic interest. Thank you very much

indeed. First Minister Carwyn Jones spoke

to Tata bosses in India earlier, and said they must allow

enough time to find a new owner Tata's decision to pull-out of Wales

comes at the start of the campaign for May's Assembly Election,

and we'll have more on that First our political correspondent

Daniel Davies asks what can the Welsh government

do about this crisis? The banks were bailed out

and today there were calls from across the political

spectrum for the UK Government to help

the steel industry too. Carwyn Jones says the Welsh

Government just doesn't The First Minister spent half

an hour on the phone The Welsh Government

said they had a frank Mr Jones called for Tata to allow

"months, not weeks," to secure a seal, and Tata is said

to have cofirmed it was committed and not a bit-part sale

of its British businesses. Labour has been in power for 17

years but at a debate in the Wrexham last night the outgoing economy

minister said this crisis Government since 1999.

declined as a result of a Labour Market forces prevail,

global capitalism prevails, and the steel industry has been

badly affected by those issues. The Tories said their Westminster

Government and whoever forms the next Welsh Government

will have to work together. Neither the Westminster Government

nor the assembly Government were prepared to go to Mumbai

to meet with I regret that and I think it

would help, even though it was likely the announcement

was not going to be Plaid Cymru proposed

the part-nationalisation of steel But the Welsh Government today

strongly rejected that claim The Welsh Government must be

in a leadership role. The precise form of that leadership

is something we need The Liberal Democrats say some

opportunities to help the steel Things like redesigning

procurement contracts so we are matching our requirements

to the skillset of Welsh steel. That is something the Welsh

Government could have done, it promised to do,

and still has not done. Ukip esay rescuing Port

Talbot would require action on energy costs

and cheap Chinese imports. Port Talbot is, I understand,

losing over ?1 million per day and it is going to be very

difficult to persuade any buyer to take on that loan

rate of loss and liability, or indeed

for the taxpayer. AMs are called back

the Senedd on Monday. The questions about what they can

do to continue throughout the election

campaign and beyond polling day. Tonight we're taking a closer

look at what's at stake. With more let's join Lucy,

who is in Cardiff Bay Good Evening and welcome the Senedd

- home to the Welsh Assembly. In five weeks time on May 5th we'll

have the opportunity to vote for the next 60 people

who will become representatives A new government for Wales will be

formed, which will make decisions about some of our most important

services like schools and hospitals. So what exactly will

you be voting for? Roger Pinney's been

to Bangor-on-Dee, They used to call this the English

but of North East building wheels that jut out with Shropshire to the

south, surrounded on three sides by England. This is the bridge across

the river at the which gives this place the English version of its

name. We really are an border country here. For centuries this

place has looked to ways, towards Wales, towards England. So what if

the Welsh assembly and Welsh Government responsible for? Do you

know what the Russian Government does as opposed to the Westminster

Government? Sadly, I don't. -- the Welsh Government. I would like to

know more. They are responsible for health, the NHS. They are

responsible for social services. Is there something coming new with

regards to tax? The primary school year was a sixth century will sink

which is where it takes its name from. These days the majority of the

pupils come from the Welsh side of the border while a come from the

English side of the border. The year six class working to show me a news

report they put together. Education is devolved, and the headteacher

here explained that can cause confusion. Teachers are definitely

understand what I'm not sure amongst the pigeons because we do get

questions sometimes about things that may come up on the news. --

amongst the pavements I'm not sure. We have different exams here so

often there are queries from parents. So who does what? These are

some of the responsibility is not passed to Wales from Westminster.

Those things that are decided here, the environment, how much money

available to defend places like this from flooding. The community has a

surgery and dentist alongside education, health is another of the

Wales Government's Key responsibilities as is the cash that

goes to local councils. In the pub, thoughts turn to other Welsh

Government powers. Transport, planning, agriculture and tourism

and efforts to win more visitors. The Welsh Government is a very real

thing would you. Definitely. We are graded from things like Visit Wales

and we work closely with the local Government to make sure everything

we do is trying to push the area and North East Wales in particular and

our brand to the wider area. Germany, Netherlands, Japan, and

bring them into the area. Decisions made in bills that impact all our

lives. This told me set just the few miles inside the border but for

here, as a cross Wales, there is a lot at stake.

Well, if you haven't registered to vote yet,

There are five main political parties in Wales to choose from -

we'll be hearing lots from them - and some of the smaller parties

over the next few weeks, and grilling the leaders on how

they propose to spend an annual budget of more than

So who are they, and how confident are they going in to this election?

This is the fifth Assembly Dlection, and the Conservatives,

Labour, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Ukip are battling

And these are the five people leading

those main parties in the fight for those seats.

Labour's been the biggest party in the assembly ever

since devolution and has always been in Government.

Now under threat in several marginal constituencies,

party insiders are concentrating on minimising losses.

But its leader insist the campaign will be a positive one.

If we say to people vote for us because everybody

else is a bit worse, that's not the way to invigorate

You do it on the basis that we have the best policies

and make people excited about the future.

As for the Conservatives, at last year's General Election

The question is whether their leader here can repeat

You can see why they wanted me to stand in for a Brad Pitt,

His targets include a string of Labour seats.

I never feel pressure, and enjoy and thrive on every

minute of the political bubble I live in and what we've got to do

is make sure people know the Welsh Conservatives

Another party with reason to feel pressure is Plaid.

It lost four seats last time around after

being Coalition government with Labour.

The party made little progress at the General Wlection

despite Leanne Wood's UK-wide media exposure.

They took that about year ago, I think.

After a string of disappointing results how vital does

she think progress is this time, for both her and the party?

This election is important in the scheme of that

project but my team is fighting the election and I don't take it

personally and don't see it is my sole responsibility.

For the Welsh Liberal Democrats this is a battle for

The party lost 49 of its 57 MPs last year.

They'll be mainly concentrating on their heartland in the hope

of clinging onto a meaningful number of AMs.

Welsh Liberal Democrats, and if people value having a liberal

voice in Welsh politics then they must go

And what about the new kids on the block?

The proportional element of the voting system suits Ukip.

The party should elect several regional

AMs if it manages to get a similar percentage of the vote as it did

in the General Election in Wales

Their leader rejects the idea that the party will have no purpose

There is a need for somebody to speak for the working man

and woman on the street, somebody needs to voice their concerns and it

seems the only party wanting to do that is Ukip.

These five leaders will now spend the next

five weeks zigzagging the country trying to win your vote.

I'm joined by our Political Editor Nick Servini.

We're in Wales will this election be won and lost? I think one of the big

battle grounds will won and lost? I think one of the big

Wales. Places like kind of loss. Where in the general election the

Conservatives retained them comfortably and yet they do not hold

them in the Assembly. At the heart of this will be how Jeremy Corbyn

plays for Labour on the doorstep. The question is how it will be in

the marginal seats where they really need support. Another fascinating

area will be North East Wales which would be used to call Labour

heartland areas. The question is the extent to which a Labour come under

pressure because of problems in the NHS in particular and North Wales.

Also perhaps a sense that Ukip could hurt labour more than the

Conservatives. Two final head-to-head battle is not a

mention. Llanelli is issued seat for Plaid Cymru and they really need to

see a game there. The Liberal Democrat leader seat is going to

come under pressure from the Conservatives. So what will the

election before on? The NHS unsurprisingly. In the general

election the NHS was arguably the big issue, despite the fact it is a

devolved matter. This is the right election for the NHS to dominate and

I still expect it to do so. Worth mentioning the EU referendum. All

the parties you will have to battle against the noisy platform of the

referendum campaign. They will come under a lot of pressure to get that

message across. A final point on the economy, occasionally game changing

issues arise. And the future of the steel industry is just one of those.

We could see events unfold during the next five weeks which will have

a major impact in terms of the economic debates which all the

parties will have to address. Thank you very much. The campaigning has

begun. The Liberal Democrats

launched their election Leader Kirsty Williams highlighted

they party's key priorities - including providing more nurses,

reducing class sizes and increasing Arwyn Jones was at the launch

in Llanrhystud, Ceredigion The Liberal Democrats decided to

start their campaign at the golf club. In a constituency where they

are hopeful of making games. We have spent the months running up to the

election listening to the people of Wales and what they want and we have

heard loud and clear they want a Welsh Government to get the basics

right. A health service there when they need it, good schools for their

children an opportunity economy, an economy that doesn't just allow them

to survive but actually thrive. We are clear they want to ensure a more

nurses in hospitals, we cut class sizes so teachers have time to get

to individual students and we want a successful economy allowing people

to buy their own home, for instance. Launching the campaign any golf

club, they say predictions of the electoral demise are par for the

course. However they had a terrible time at the general election last

year, down to just one Welsh MP. They could be in for a difficult

time in May, according to opinion polls. That is no doubt this will be

tough election. Pauling suggest they are unlikely to hold their current

five seeds and it will be tough for them to hold onto one or two seats

at this election. -- fibre seats. They told the run up their

performances have been below par they are on the up with more members

and Wales and hoping for a strong showing in May. What happens after

the elections in May is up to the people of Wales. We must stick

strongly to a message and what comes will come. Right now all the parties

up there with their messages for the electorate and it is early days in

the campaign. Once we put our message across IM sure the response

will be confident one. -- positive one. There is no doubt be part that

has been through a difficult period, our however, as in golf, we hope is

if they can all do know they can succeed on May five. -- they hope

they can succeed. On the 5th of May. We are going to hear plenty

from politicians about what they'll deliver if they form

the next Welsh Government. Well, during the next few weeks -

you've got the chance to tell them - as part of our My

Manifesto 2016 Project. Have you ever wished you could get

your ideas straight into the hands of the First Minister? Well, now is

your chance. This is my Manifesto 2016. Right now it's empty but

between now and polling day I'm planning on filling it up your

ideas. To do this and taking it across the country to ask what you

would do if you were in charge of running Wales. If I was First

Minister I would reorganise the NHS. I would try my best to create more

jobs. I would ensure all disabled people get equal rights. We'll on

the BBC election tour. Starting here on the 18th of April. We will be

travelling the length and breadth of Wales over two weeks to find out

what will it matters to you in this election. At the bringing Might

Manifesto 2016 to every stop along the way and fill it with the issues

you really care about. If you can come along and get in

touch by e-mail. -- can't come along.

When the votes are counted as present the full Might Manifesto

2016 to the First Minister to make sure they really know what you want.

If you want to have your voice heard this election, then get involved.

Here it is - waiting to be filled with all your suggestions,

I'm looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts over the coming

weeks and perhaps seeing you on our election tour.

You can get lots of information and analysis on our website:

bbc.co.uk/walesnews - follow the Election links.

There will be alive question and answer on our Facebook page after

broadcast. The Ministry of Defence has been

reprimanded over failures which led to the deaths of three soldiers

in the Brecon Beacons. Reservists Craig Roberts,

from Penrhyn Bay, Edward Maher and James Dunsby died as a result

of neglect while on The Health and Safety Executive

issued its strongest sanction - a crown censure -

as the law does not allow The MoD has apologised

for the failings. The outgoing Arts Council

of Wales Chairman has claimed The Welsh government sometimes

operate in a Professor Dai Smith says

the Arts Council has effectively been barred from offering

its expertise to the Welsh government's creative

industries team. The Welsh government has declined

to comment on the issue. There are some parts of Government

ministerial office which seem incapable of understanding that

co-operation and partnership is the name of the game,

not chivvying and ordering people about, and sometimes getting

it wrong in a knucklehead, At the across Wales and the lovely

into the day here in Cardiff Bay. Just if you showers around, but

changing tomorrow. Some evening sunshine tonight, staying largely

dry. Any showers dying out. Under clear skies with light winds it will

turn colder overnight. Maximum four Celsius. Looking at the pressure

chart, the high-pressure keeping things settled today were clear away

towards Scandinavia and we have a front pushing in from the Atlantic

tomorrow. The morning Star is called, early frost which were clear

and a bright and breezy morning. The best of the dry weather in the south

and east returning clothier. We've got a band of rain trying to push in

across northern wheels later on. Strong southerly winds. Top

temperatures up to 11 Celsius. The weather front pushing into model it

should be clearing north and west once again by Friday and into

Saturday. Friday night is largely cloudy with rain in the north and

the West. Best of the dry weather in the south and east. Overnight

temperatures around six Celsius. Brain again in the north and west

and Saturday morning. Best of the dry weather in the south and turning

bright and sunny. Similar on Sunday with plenty of dry weather and

strong southerly winds, tropical area, turning warmer for the

weekend. David Cameron has warned that is no guarantee of success as

the fight to save steel jobs gets underway. He chaired the meeting at

Westminster today. We'll have an update for you and 8,

and a full round-up after