Heathrow’s signing of the UK Steel Charter has been greeted by the local council leader as securing Scunthorpe steel involvement in a major development projects for years to come.
On February 12, Heathrow announced plans to upgrade its terminals and progress on building a third runway. As part of the announcement, made at British Steel‘s Scunthorpe plant, its CEO Thomas Woldbye signed the airport up to the UK Steel Charter.
The charter aims to maximise supply chain opportunities for UK steel producers. North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds Ward) has said it means Scunthorpe steel will be used in the development of the airport.
He said it “will mean that steel made here in Scunthorpe will be used in one of the country’s biggest developments in years. Steelmaking is the lifeblood of North Lincolnshire’s economy. Just about everyone here works on the steelworks, knows someone who does, or have had relatives work there in previous years – like my dad did. It needs to be protected.
“This is very welcome news but there is still more to be done. The future of the works remains uncertain, and the Government really needs to step up and secure steelmaking in the country and protect livelihoods of hard-working people here in North Lincolnshire.”
Scunthorpe’s MP Sir Nic Dakin (Labour) also attended Heathrow’s signing of the UK Steel Charter. “It’s great to see Heathrow’s commitment to the UK Steel charter today, which is a big vote of confidence in Scunthorpe steel. The UK is built on construction steel made here in Scunthorpe thanks to our world class workforce.”
The coke blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe steelworks continue to run. As part of plans to transition to greener steel, the company has effective planning permission for an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Scunthorpe site. It is in continuing discussions with Government over a support package for its green transition plans. Media reports in January suggested British Steel was going to abandon plans to put an EAF in Teesside and have two in Scunthorpe. However, a British Steel spokesperson said no final decisions had been made.
Trade union Unite welcomed Heathrow’s move too, but reiterated previous calls for all major infrastructure projects in the country to use UK steel. It has called for UK-produced steel to be classified as “critical national infrastructure”, and clear procurement rules introduced to ensure all public sector projects use UK steel.
(Image: North Lincolnshire Council)
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We welcome Heathrow’s commitment to UK produced steel and we look forward to further cooperation with Heathrow Airport and the government on the much needed third runway. This steel deal needs to become standard practice on all UK major infrastructure projects.”
She added: “Protecting our steel industry is essential to boost our economy and in the interest of national security. With Trump introducing steel tariffs next month the government needs to act quickly.”
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) also attended the Scunthorpe-hosted announcement by Heathrow. Its director of policy Alex Veitch said the announcement was “great news for British business.”
“It is real show of support from Heathrow for domestic steel production and supply chains across the UK. As further infrastructure projects are given the green light, many more opportunities can be seized to boost British business and drive forward growth.”
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Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
