Today, the Government has extended the steel safeguards until 2024.
Alasdair McDiarmid, Operations Director at the steelworkers’ union Community, says:
The decision to extend the steel safeguards is hugely welcome and extremely important. Government made the right call because giving up our safeguards, when the EU and US are maintaining theirs, would leave us exposed to import surges threatening thousands of jobs.
A fair trading environment is crucial to securing the huge investments our industry needs, but it is far from sufficient. Steelworkers are urging Government to give us the competitive energy prices, and decarbonisation support, that our EU competitors enjoy and we need for a sustainable future.
Britain needs a strong steel industry for a prosperous and resilient economy, to deliver net zero, for our national security, and to safeguard high quality jobs in places that really need them. The safeguards extension is an important part of the jigsaw, but Government must do much more before it becomes too late.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024