NEWS more than 100 jobs could be lost at a Newport steel plant has been met with dismay.

On Tuesday it was announced AIC Steel in Usk Way had gone into administration, with all 120 employees facing possible redundancy.

Speaking in the Senedd today Wales’ economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates said the Welsh Government was doing “everything we can” to support the company and the country’s entire steel industry.

Although he added the company had been offered support in the past, Mr Skates said the firm had seemed reluctant to accept help.

“Despite several attempts by both my own officials and Newport City Council to meet to discuss possible avenues of support, I’m afraid to say that the company’s been reluctant to meet,” he said.

“Careers Wales and Jobcentre Plus are contacting the company to see what assistance can be offered.

“I will also be meeting with the general secretary of Unite the Union tomorrow to discuss this matter, and I’ll be contacting the administrators to urge them to liaise with the trade unions.”

Mr Skates was responding to a question by Newport West AM Jayne Bryant, who called the news “a bitter blow”.

Speaking outside the Senedd she said: “I hadn’t heard anything about this so I think it was quite a shock for everyone.”

She added: “We are encouraging the Welsh Government to do everything they can for the workforce and their families.

“There are people there who have been there since it opened and there are some who have not been there very long at all.”

The Labour AM added she had already spoken to trade union Unite over the issue and was prepared to do as much as possible to protect the jobs and support employees.

The news comes in the midst of turmoil for the British steel industry, with global conglomerate Tata, which has factories in Llanwern, Caerphilly and Port Talbot, announcing earlier this year it would sell its entire UK operation.

Administrator Begbies Traynor has said “it is likely that there will be significant redundancies”.

AIC Steel, the British arm of a family-owned steel company based in the Middle East, opened in Newport in March 2014 and has carried out a number of high profile contracts.