A 30,000-strong petition calling on support for UK steel has been handed to local Scunthorpe politicians.
They met with steelworks and Unite trade union members in the town on Friday at Cafe Indie. The petition landmark comes as decision day on British Steel’s proposal for an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Scunthorpe site draws nearer.
North Lincolnshire Council‘s planning committee will decide on the EAF planning application on Tuesday afternoon. If approved, it could be up and running as soon as December 2025.
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The petition event was attended by Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Scunthorpe County, Sir Nic Dakin. Scunthorpe’s Conservative MP, Holly Mumby-Croft, was also invited. Unite’s Save UK Steel petition is the latest in a series of campaign initiatives by the union to raise the profile of the industry to the forefront of politician’s minds.
‘Steel Not For Sale’ signs were temporarily placed in Scunthorpe people’s gardens and streets and a protest was held by Unite and PCS unions against Scunthorpe’s potential steelworks changes outside the town’s job centre in February. Unite also launched a digital billboard campaign in Scunthorpe calling on politicians to reverse the industry’s decline in September.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The UK government’s lack of support or any long-term plan for steel is putting a sector which can and should have a bright future at risk. The public and steelworkers know there is another better way forward.
“In Germany, France and the Netherlands capacity is being retained and jobs protected as the sector transitions to green steel.” She welcomed Labour’s plan to invest £3bn if it takes power at the general election.
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“The demand for steel is expected to increase ten-fold over the coming years and the UK is perfectly placed to become a global leader in its production – if the right choices are made. Unite will not stop campaigning until they are.”
“It resembles the 80s when the coal mines were closed and communities suffered as a result,” said Steve, owner of Lucky Tuppence confectionary, about the steel industry. “Scunthorpe is suffering the same fate, and the town will die if the steel plant dwindles away. We must fight every step of the way to save UK steel. We need our infrastructure to use 100 per cent of UK steel as well as to build our defences.”
The UK government has already offered £300m of investment to British Steel to aid its £1.25bn transformation plans to be more sustainable. Talks between British Steel‘s owners, Jingye, and the Government have also continued since. A similar support package of £500m, has also been agreed by the government to support Tata Steel’s transition to electric in Port Talbot.
British Steel’s Scunthorpe proposal is to replace its coke blast furnaces with electric arc furnaces, one in Teesside, one in Scunthorpe. The Teesside EAF has already received planning approval. Scunthorpe’s is recommended for conditional approval by planning officers.
The special planning meeting has been prompted by Cllr Tony Ellerby’s call-in of the decision on significant public interest grounds.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe