Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft has told how all parties involved in talks between the Government and British Steel on support measures are “committed to finding a long-term sustainable solution”.
The chief executive of the town’s biggest employer broke his silence on the need for help in navigating the immediate economic environment and the decarbonisation of the energy intensive industry last week. Xifeng Han had underlined £330 million of investment made by the Chinese owner, Jingye Group, since acquiring British Steel in early 2020, but has urged Westminster to help deal with the fall-out from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the path to Net Zero.
Ms Mumby-Croft has acted as a vital conduit between the firm headquartered in her constituency and BEIS officials in ongoing formal negotiations, and played a key role in securing the continuation of steel safeguards on imports post-Brexit.
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Responding to Mr Han’s comments, she said: “Steel is a vital strategic industry. A healthy supply of steel underpins everything we do - it is irreplaceable when it comes to defending ourselves or building the infrastructure we’ll rely upon well into the future. The Government knows this, and I was delighted to hear the PM confirm to me this week at Prime Minister’s Questions the government remains committed to a thriving steel industry.
“We have seen huge support from Conservative governments for the steel industry, including extensive support to the steel sector to help with pressures like energy costs worth more than £800 million since 2013 on top of support from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and extensions of the UK’s steel safeguards.
“I’ve always stood up for the steel sector here. The conversations between British Steel and the Government are ongoing, and I know we are all committed to finding a long-term, sustainable solution.”
Mr Han’s statement came on the day Liberty Steel took drastic action, cutting jobs and idling its Newport facility in South Wales.
Speculation about a potential 1,300 job losses and the shutting down of one blast furnace in Scunthorpe has not been responded to by the company.
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