Steel unions write to Boris Johnson calling for urgent action on energy crisis

The National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee calls on the Prime Minister to take urgent action on energy prices.

The three steelworkers’ unions in Britain – Community, Unite and GMB – have today written to the Prime Minister expressing profound concerns on the impact the current energy crisis is having on the steel industry, calling for immediate intervention to protect jobs, companies and the national supply chain.

The letter, sent today by The National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee, noted that in September energy prices spiked at an astronomical £2,500/MWh, which was a 5,000% increase on April prices.

The letter went on to warn that with the steel industry directly employing more than 32,000 workers, and twice as many again in the supply chain and local communities, thousands of jobs could be in jeopardy should the government fail to act to protect Britain’s steelworkers from the consequences of unprecedented energy costs.

A spokesperson for the steelworker’s union Community, said:

“The ongoing energy crisis is an incredibly serious situation for the steel industry. A shortage in supply has caused huge spikes in energy prices, and has already led some companies to pause production. If left unresolved, the energy crisis poses a real and immediate threat to thousands of steel jobs.

The seriousness of the situation requires swift and decisive action from government. But it seems Government Ministers have been too busy squabbling, and that’s why we wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to get a grip and act to resolve this crisis before it is too late.”

At this time Government has presented no solutions to support Britain’s steelmakers through this energy crisis. Other energy intensive businesses have warned of closures, suspensions in activity or blackouts.

The full letter can be read here.


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.



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