‘Steel industry gets our support,’ says NELC

North East Lincolnshire Council has pledged to lobby and support the Government to do all it can ensure British Steel in Scunthorpe is retained.

The plant, which employs thousands of people in the area, is in receivership.

At the recent full meeting of NELC, members gave support to British Steel and neighbouring authority North Lincolnshire Council.

They voted positively to a motion put forward by the Conservative-run administration to show their backing.

The Government is currently underwriting the receivership process, meaning staff and suppliers will continue to be paid and business operates as usual indefinitely. This positions British Steel on a secure footing until a buyer is found.

Councillor Stephen Harness, who presented the motion, told how there are just 32,000 jobs left in the UK steel industry today – a loss of 150,000 jobs since the 1980s.

“The Scunthorpe steel plant employs almost 5,000 people, with many more thousands employed in the supply chain in a local industry worth billions to the national economy,” he said.

“Scunthorpe being one of just two integrated steelworks in the UK, the other being the Tata Steel located in Port Talbot. Needless to say the loss of the steelworks in Scunthorpe would have a devastating outcome for Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire and also North East Lincolnshire as well as the Immingham Bulk Terminal.

“Recently councils across Lincolnshire have backed British-made steel by signing up to the UK Steel Charter. North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Councils have joined forces, with the charter being signed by the leaders of those councils, Rob Waltham, our own Philip Jackson and Martin Hill.

“Local MPs of all colours have also supported the launch of the Steel Charter as well support from the union Unite. The UK Steel Charter seeks to promote the use of high quality local steel in construction projects at a time when the future is uncertain for Scunthorpe based British Steel.

“Philip Jackson has pledged that North East Lincolnshire Council is ready to play its part in supporting the use of UK-produced steel in construction and infra-structure projects, supporting highly paid, skilled manufacturing jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities in the Greater Lincolnshire authorities. North Lincolnshire has welcomed the support from NELC and Lincolnshire.   

“This council recognises the strategic importance of steel production within the UK and resolves to lobby and support Government to do all it can to ensure the retention of the world class steelworks in Scunthorpe.”

Labour requested an amendment to the motion, to include an option to nationalise British Steel. The attempt failed.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Lia Nici. She added: “We make world class steel in Scunthorpe. Our global political politeness will see us become devoid of some of our most strategic economic industries. 

“We must lobby Government to invest in making Scunthorpe a less polluting manufacturing site, which will not only be of benefit to residents across Northern Lincolnshire but the whole of the world now and in the future.

“We, here in this chamber, can have an immediate impact on ensuring Scunthorpe Steel’s future. As a council, by voting to support the UK Steel Charter, the council will be able to buy British-made steel products and help ensure that Steel manufacture continues in Scunthorpe.  

“Let’s work together so that the council’s future procurement policies can ensure the steel used in our future projects can proudly be ‘Made In Scunthorpe’.”