Sarah Champion MP backs Government plans to support and strengthen steelmaking in Rotherham

Government plans to fortify UK steelmaking were welcomed by Rotherham MP Sarah Champion as a crucial step to protect the proud industrial heritage in Rotherham and grow the economy.

The Plan for Steel – launched by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds earlier this month – will look at the long-term issues facing the industry like high electricity costs, unfair trading practices, and scrap metal recycling to protect jobs and living standards in the UK’s industrial heartlands.

After years of neglect under the last Conservative Government, up to £2.5 billion will be put towards supporting the steel industry, as per the Labour manifesto, including via the National Wealth Fund. This could benefit regions across the UK – like Rotherham – which have a strong history of steel production. It will be spent on initiatives that will give the industry a long future – such as electric arc furnaces, or other improvements to UK capabilities.

The Plan is on top of implementing the British Industry Supercharger which will cut electricity costs for steel firms and bring prices more in line with international competitors.

The Plan for Steel will help with the issues which have been holding the industry back for too long. It will look at ways to:

·         Identify where there are opportunities to expand UK steelmaking to better support UK manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and growth – and secure UK jobs and livelihoods

·         Protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad

·         Improve our scrap processing facilities so they can best support the steelmaking of the future

·         Encourage high usage of UK-made steel in public projects

·         Tackle the high electricity prices that have held back the competitiveness of UK steelworks

Welcoming the Plan for Steel, Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, said:

“I have long campaigned for Government action on the issues that have hamstrung our steel industry, and I am proud that the Labour Government is delivering, with up to £2.5 billion of funding.’

‘The announcement of a Plan for Steel is fantastic news for Rotherham, making clear that we are putting the full weight of government behind the industry to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs and drive local growth.’

‘I am continuing with my Buy British Bill and will be urging the Government to make sure more of its £380 Billion procurement budget goes to UK businesses.’

‘I will always champion our proud local history of steelmaking in Parliament and I will continue to work with the Government to make sure the Plan for Steel delivers what Rotherham needs.”