Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents thousands of steel workers, is demanding the government introduces clear rules to ensure that UK produced steel is used in all major projects.
 

Chinese steel

The union made its call after it emerged that the government failed to prevent the purchase of 7,000 tonnes of Chinese produced steel for a new power station in Redcar, when British Steel in nearby Scunthorpe had also bid for the work.
 
To add insult to injury the power station is being built on the site of the former Redcar steel works.
 

Wrong use of money

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Energy billpayers will pay for Chinese steel at the expense of British jobs. Unite has repeatedly told the government that allowing steel from overseas to be bought with public money, is simply wrong.  It undermines the economy and puts skilled jobs at risk.
 
“Steel production is crucial to the success of the UK economy and cast-iron rules must be implemented to ensure all UK infrastructure projects buy our steel, when available.  This can be done within international law if we designate steel as an area of critical national infrastructure, just as they have done in the US.”
 
In total a third of steel bought for UK projects last year was purchased abroad.
 

Critical national infrastructure 

Unite believes that the government needs to designate steel as critical national infrastructure and then introduce strict rules to ensure that all major projects including those in the public sector, come with strict procurement rules requiring the purchase of UK made steel. By designating steel as critical national infrastructure, such a policy would not contravene global competition rules.
 
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