Exclusive:
An expert-led paper commissioned by the Community Union also recommends new facilities be developed to maintain Britain’s ability to make steel from scratch, rather than relying on recycled materials
British defence, energy and infrastructure projects should be required to use domestically made steel to help secure the UK’s steelmaking future, a new report has urged.
An expert-led paper commissioned by the Community Union also recommends new facilities be developed to maintain Britain’s ability to make steel from scratch, rather than relying on recycled materials.
The mothballing of blast furnaces at Tata’s steelworks in Port Talbot robbed Britain of its ‘virgin steelmaking’ capacity.
But the report calls for a direct reduced iron (DRI) facility to be created, which can make a form of Iron that can be then made into Steel in one of the new eco-friendly electric arc furnaces built to replace the blast furnaces.
The ‘Steel Reforged’ report also calls for the Government to discount electricity bills for steel production facilities.
Roy Rickhuss, Community’s General Secretary, said: “There is huge potential for our steel industry in the years ahead. This government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure and growth, and the wider path towards a greener economy, will require enormous amounts of steel product.
“At Community, our argument is that we should be making that steel here in the UK – supporting thousands of well-paid jobs right across the country and investing in the skills and experience that we have in our world-class steel workforce.”
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “It’s good to see confidence in our Plan for Steel, which we’ve backed with up to £2.5 billion of investment to secure a long-term future for the steel industry.
“We’re exploring all options to help us grow the steel sector in the UK and deliver on our Plan for Change, protecting the workforce, taxpayers and industry.”
Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg – home of the Port Talbot steelworks – said: “Community’s new report sets out a compelling vision for a competitive British steel industry, recognising the need for Britain to seize the opportunities ahead of us.
“Higher defence spending, new infrastructure projects and a growing offshore wind industry are each driving new demand for steel which we simply must seek to meet here in the UK – by creating a competitive policy environment and investing in the technologies of the future, such as a plate mill and a DRI facility.”
Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, said: “Steel is at the heart of communities like mine in Newport, and a future without such a strategically vital industry here in the UK is unthinkable – especially in the volatile world we live in today. ‘Steel Reforged’ lays out the case for comprehensive reform and support for our steel industry, and gives a strong indication of the huge potential that could be unlocked if Britain gives its steel sector a sustainable footing for the future.”
