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UNITE the union urged Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to urgently protect Britain’s “sovereign steel-making capability” today.
General secretary Sharon Graham’s letter to Downing Street came after last week’s spring Budget, which failed to include a comprehensive support package for a sector under pressure from foreign competitors.
The government’s failure to “grow steel and make it more internationally competitive is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers across Wales, Humberside, Yorkshire and north-east England,” Ms Graham said.
She added: “Steel is a foundation industry essential for the success of the UK economy — despite this, due to years of inaction and an abdication of leadership, this essential industry is being left to wither and decline.
“The government must stop prevaricating and immediately bring in the necessary support and reforms needed.”
The letter demanded more investment in the sector’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions, a “complete revision” of procurement rules so that all British infrastructure projects have an obligation to use homemade steel and additional support for soaring energy bills.
