Steel industry still at risk
24 April 2025
The British steel industry in Britain remains at risk despite saving the Scunthorpe steel plant from immediate closure. But more action is needed to secure the industry’s future.
Steel
Steel
Scunthorpe steel reprieved
The scramble to acquire the raw materials needed to avert the closure of the Scunthorpe steel plant highlights the folly of successive governments in prioritising imports over domestic production in our vital industries.
Blast furnaces shut down
4 April 2025
The closure of the last two steel blast furnaces in Britain happened at the end of March. This is a disastrous development for British industry and all workers given the fundamental importance of steel.
Steel strategy – cautious welcome
25 February 2025
Steel is a vital product, yet the future of the industry in Britain is continually threatened. Recent moves by the government are an opportunity to change that, as long as it addresses energy costs.
Fix Hammersmith Bridge!
25 February 2025
Hammersmith Bridge in London has been closed to vehicles for six years. The latest delay is blamed on steel shortages.
No mine here: threat to industry
11 October 2024
The assault on British industry in the name of the environment and net zero continues. The latest step is halting the development of a coal mine in Cumbria, aided by the courts and the new government.
No guarantees on Tata Steel
17 July 2024
The new government has given no guarantees on the future of Tata Steel in Port Talbot. Trade unions had hopes of a positive outcome after the election, but still face job losses.
Tata 'bully boys' opposed
Unite confirmed that it would begin industrial action from 18 June in protest at Tata’s plans to close blast furnaces in Port Talbot over the next three months.
Steel – fight for Port Talbot jobs
30 May 2024
The fight for the future of Britain’s steel industry is focused on Port Talbot. Workers are threatening to strike over Tata’s rejection of their alternative plans to retain jobs and integrated production.
Workers fight for steel and industrial sovereignty
28 April 2024
Steel workers in Wales and the East Midlands highlight the importance of steel to industrial sovereignty.
Steel: Fresh blow
In another blow to Britain’s steel production, the Spanish company Celsa has put its Cardiff plant up for sale.
Steel: the backbone of industry
Steel is vital for manufacturing and infrastructure. Producing it is energy intensive, but closing blast furnaces without a realistic plan for future steel production undermines Britain’s self-reliance...
Steel jobs and industry threatened by net zero
24 January 2024
Tata Steel is cutting jobs at Port Talbot steelworks, driven by net zero. That will damage the steel industry and the wider economy.
Steel industry – green threat
7 November 2023
British Steel wants to close down the blast furnaces at its Scunthorpe plant. This threatens the jobs of 2,000 skilled workers and the future of the industry.
Campaign for future of steel [print version]
Unite the Union has launched a new campaign to highlight the decline in Britain’s steel industry.
Campaign for the future of steel
28 September 2023
Unite has launched a campaign to highlight the decline in Britain’s steel industry, with a plan for its future, including the demand that public contracts are obliged to use British steel.
Steel jobs and industry threatened by Tata Steel deal
28 September 2023
The government claims it has rescued Tata Steel, but the deal threatens the existence of Port Talbot, Britain’s largest steel works. Thousands of skilled jobs are at risk.
Steel: hanging by a thread
Without a steel industry Britain will be dependent on other countries for our strategic infrastructure. Yet the government will not take the steps needed to keep it alive…
Government again fails to put British steel jobs first
13 January 2023
Up to 440 British steel jobs are at risk as the government fails to exploit the opportunities presented by Brexit, fails to deal with massive increase in energy costs to industry, and betrays Britain’s steel workers.
Cumbria coal mine goes ahead
9 December 2022
The government has finally given the go-ahead for a coal mine in Cumbria which provide high-grade coal for steelmaking. It needs to stick with the decision.
British steel betrayed by government
Transport minister Andrew Stephenson has admitted that HS2, Europe’s largest construction project and funded by public money, has no target for the use of British steel.
Coal still needed in Wales
12 November 2021
The Welsh government is trying to close Aberpergwm colliery, the only anthracite mine in Europe. Its "net zero" dogma also puts the Port Talbot steel plant at risk.
Steel jobs saved [print version]
More than 600 steel-making jobs at Sheffield Forgemasters have been secured following the decision to nationalise the company.
Government nationalises Sheffield steel firm
30 July 2021
More than 600 steel-making jobs at Sheffield Forgemasters have been secured following the decision to nationalise the company.
No future without steel
Even banana republics look after their bananas. But in Britain, built on iron, steel and industry, nothing is now sacred.
Deep mining again in Cumbria
17 January 2021
The first new deep coalmine in Britain for over 30 years will go ahead in Cumbria. It will supplying coking coal for steelmaking.
Chinese set to seal British Steel takeover
5 March 2020
Chinese firm Jingye Group has confirmed plans take over British Steel at a price of £70 million, and to invest more than £1 billion in the company, which collapsed in May last year.
Steel: Plant mothballed
Unions at the shut Orb steelworks in Newport, Wales, have persuaded Tata that there is a stronger case for new companies to take over if the plant is properly maintained over the coming period.
British Steel must be saved [workers version]
The collapse of British Steel will be disastrous for its 5,000 workers and 20,000 others in the supply chain – and it will damage British industry too.
Why Scunthorpe must stay open
The value embodied in British-made steel is one of the main reasons why the Scunthorpe works should remain open.