The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has today launched an inquiry examining the current challenges facing the steel industry and issues concerning the sector’s long-term viability. The inquiry will also examine the Government’s approach to supporting the steel industry, and the impact the collapse of Greensill Capital on Liberty Steel, its customers and its workforce in the UK.
Roy Rickhuss CBE, General Secretary of the steelworkers’ union Community, says:
“We welcome this inquiry, as we know with the right framework of support our industry has a bright future at the core of a low carbon economy. But achieving this is going to require decisive action from government in areas like electricity prices and public procurement, so our steelworkers can compete on a level playing field with European steelmakers. It will also require real political will, combined with the commitment of shareholders, to invest in technologies like Hydrogen to green our industry. As we leave the EU, invest billions in infrastructure, and host COP26, this is the year we must see major game-changing interventions unlocking the potential of our industry. Steelmakers like Liberty Steel are strategically important businesses that provide good jobs in parts of the country that really need them. This government’s approach to Liberty Steel and the wider industry is a test of their commitment to industrial communities across the UK.”
The Committee will be welcoming evidence, with an interim deadline of Friday 14 May 2021 for submissions
Committee Membership: Darren Jones, Chair, (Labour MP for Bristol North West), Mark Pawsey MP (Vice-Chair), (Conservative, Rugby), Alan Brown (SNP, Kilmarnock and Loudoun), Judith Cummins (Lab, Bradford South), Richard Fuller MP (Conservative, North East Bedfordshire), Nusrat Ghani MP (Conservative, Wealden), Paul Howell (Conservative, Sedgefield), Mark Jenkinson MP (Conservative, Workington),Charlotte Nichols (Labour, Warrington North), Sarah Owen (Labour, Luton North), Alexander Stafford MP (Conservative, Rother Valley).
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