Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 April 2026
Correspondence to the Secretary of State for Wales, relating to The Environmental and Economic Legacy of Wales’ Industrial Past (Gwaddol Amgylcheddol ac Economaidd Gorffennol Diwydiannol Cymru), dated 20 April 2026
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Inquiry: The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past
Summary
The Welsh Affairs Committee writes to the Secretary of State for Wales outlining findings from its inquiry into Wales' industrial legacy. Rather than publishing a formal report, the committee addresses key themes in correspondence, detailing environmental challenges (2,500+ disused coal tips, thousands of contaminated sites, 1,300+ abandoned metal mines) and economic problems (South Wales Coalfields among poorest in Western Europe, 7% employment growth 2012-2022). The letter calls for coordinated UK-Welsh Government action on remediation, skills pipelines, and economic transformation, requesting a response by 20 June 2026.
Key findings
- Wales has over 2,500 disused coal tips: 85 classified 'Category D' (highest risk) and 275 'Category C'; current £230m joint UK-Welsh Government funding insufficient—estimated remediation cost £500m-£600m over 15 years.
- Thousands of contaminated land sites exist across Wales (Natural Resources Wales estimates 9,000; councils report 4,000+ in Rhondda Cynon Taf alone, 2,000+ in Caerphilly); most recent comprehensive assessment conducted in 2016 using 2001-2013 data.
- South Wales Coalfields employment grew only 7% (2012-2022), far below comparable regions (Kent 33%, Lothian 31%); persistent health inequalities, transport barriers, and 40% of residents lack formal qualifications or car access.
- Acute shortage of specialist technical skills (civil engineers, drainage specialists, hydrologists, contamination officers) across former industrial communities; local authorities unable to match private-sector salaries, causing chronic recruitment vacancies.
- Opportunities exist for economic transformation: geothermal heat from flooded coal mines could serve 18% of Welsh homes; brownfield sites could support innovation districts, renewable energy, and biodiversity; Pittsburgh model demonstrates potential for community-led redevelopment.
Recommendations
- UK and Welsh Governments should collaborate to keep coal tip safety, contaminated land remediation, and metal mine pollution at the forefront of joint political agendas through a unified, strategic approach.
- UK Government should work with Welsh Government to establish a long-term skills and apprenticeship pipeline designed specifically for former industrial communities, building technical expertise for Wales' industrial legacy management and enabling access to new growth sector jobs.
- UK Government should ensure former industrial areas, including South Wales Coalfields, are fully and visibly represented within the UK Government's Industrial Strategy and AI Growth Zone initiative.
- Ensure consistency of treatment: consider contaminated land remediation in Wales a shared responsibility between UK and Welsh Governments, consistent with coal tip safety approach, recognising sites predate devolution.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Ruth Jones MP, Jo Stevens MP, Natural Resources Wales, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Industrial Communities Alliance Wales, Friends of the Earth Cymru, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot Council
Notable line
“… without sustained and coordinated action from both Governments, former industrial communities will continue to face long-term economic and environmental problems.”
Key Quotes
“Wales played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution; however many of the communities that once powered its heavy industries, particularly those in the South Wales Coalfields, continue to live with the environmental and economic legacy of that era.”
“… it is important to acknowledge there is a limit to the amount of work that can be carried out, and the capacity and capability of partner organisations in this area is finite”
“… costs could "easily start at a six-figure sum just to begin looking at sites".”
“We consider that a similar approach, encouraging young people from former industrial communities to progress into technical specialist roles, including in areas such as brownfield land remediation, could be adopted in Wales.”
“… geothermal heat generated by an extensive network of disused flooded coal mines could provide a low-cost, low-carbon heat supply to around 18% of all homes in Wales”
“Although progress has been made in addressing its impacts, the evidence presented to us makes clear that, without sustained and coordinated action from both Governments, former industrial communities will continue to face long-term economic and environmental problems.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗