Unite, the UK’s leading union, has accused the government of abandoning steel workers following the announcement today that British Steel is set to make up to 2,000 redundancies as it proposes to close its blast furnaces in Scunthorpe

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “There is absolutely no need for mass redundancies at British Steel. We do not accept the need for one single job cut.

“The strategy of successive governments has failed. Steel is vital to the UK’s economic success, yet steelworkers are being abandoned by this government.

“Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for new investment unless that is linked to binding job guarantees. Only by the government taking a stake in the company will the right choices be made for the UK’s economy.

“The UK steel industry is at a crossroads and there is a clear political choice. Politicians must decide whose side they are on. Unite’s plan for steel would see the UK once again become a world leader in steel, doubling production, safeguarding employment and creating thousands of new jobs.

“Both the government and the Labour party now need to go much further and back the Workers’ Plan for Steel.

“Unite is committing significant resource in our fight to save our steel industry.”

Unite has established its Workers’ Plan for Steel which set out four key objectives for the future of the UK steel industry:

  • Change procurement rules to let UK public contracts use 100 per cent UK steel, creating thousands of jobs.

  • Public investment for a Steelworkers’ Transition Plan with NO loss of jobs. A just transition– while doubling capacity to rebuild our industry and grow jobs. The investment needed is £1 billion per year over 12 years and it will pay for itself with increased revenue.

  • Tackle energy prices. Bring in electricity price caps and public ownership of the grid to make our steel even more competitive.

  • Take a stake. No more money for nothing. Public investment for steel must come with solid job guarantees.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.