Commenting on the news that Keir Starmer is visiting British Steel’s Scunthorpe site today (8 June 2023), Roy Rickhuss CBE, General Secretary of Community the steelworkers’ union, said:
“Labour’s plans for an active industrial strategy and a £3 billion green steel investment fund can be the game-changers our industry so desperately needs.
“Britain needs a strong and sustainable steel industry and delivering that is going to require a comprehensive partnership between government, employers and trade unions.
“We welcome Keir’s visit and we look forward to discussing Labour’s plans in Scunthorpe today.”
After meeting Community Reps, Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said later:
“Meeting Community reps in Scunthorpe to discuss the challenges the steel industry faces, it’s clear what the industry means to them and the surrounding communities here.
“Labour will always have a close working relationship with unions as we build a better Britain. I look forward to continuing that work together on Labour’s Industrial Strategy and our Green Prosperity Plan, which will help to secure a strong and sustainable future for the steel industry in the UK by increasing demand and building the turbines, railways and carbon infrastructure our country needs.”
Alun Davies, National Officer for Community the steelworkers’ union, said:
“It was good to meet today with Keir and discuss Labour’s plans to deliver a decarbonised steel industry at the core of an ambitious industrial strategy.
“Britain needs its steel industry, and Britain’s steelworkers need government to do far more to support our steelmakers to go green and prosper.
“All us steelworkers ask is the chance to compete on a level playing field with EU producers.”
Further information:
Community is the steelworkers’ union. More steelworkers are members of Community than any other union. We have a history dating back over a century, representing members and campaigning to protect Britain’s steel industry.
- 11,522 people signed the Britain, we need our steel petition. You read about the petition here.
- 33,000 people are directly employed by Britain’s steel industry.
- An additional 40,000 people work in the steel supply chain. Those jobs are reliant on the future of the industry too.
- Over 88 per cent of steelworkers are the main earner in their household.
- £6 billion is what Britain’s steel industry will be worth by 2030.
- £3 billion is the value of exports from Britain’s steel industry.
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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 2025
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