Council leader calls for the Government to back British Steel with investment not just words

The leader of North Lincolnshire Council is calling on the Government to back British Steel to safeguard thousands of jobs at its plant in Scunthorpe.

Cllr Rob Waltham, said: “Steel making is vital for the regional and national economy. British Steel’s site in Scunthorpe is now the only place in the UK that can make virgin steel and must be protected.

“North Lincolnshire Council continues to work with Jingye, the owners of British Steel, following high-level meetings at their headquarters in China. We are continuing to work with them to develop surplus land at the steelworks to harness new technology and create green jobs. Master planning is underway to attract high-paid and high-skilled jobs to the area – using new technologies to create green industry. But the steel works need to be part of the picture moving forward.

“With the uncertainty hanging over the site it is a worrying time for the hard-working employees and their families in the run up to Christmas.

“The Government has made a lot of noise about protecting the steel industry and these words must be backed-up with meaningful investment.

“Rumours in the national press certainly don’t help – it is now time for the Government to give local steel workers and their families a clear message that their futures are safe – this is the Christmas present everyone in North Lincolnshire wants.”