Against the backdrop of job cuts in the steel industry driven by emissions reduction efforts, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to champion the UK’s steel sector.
During a visit to the Port Talbot plant in South Wales, Sir Keir emphasised the historical significance of British steel, which has been an integral part of the nation’s growth and societal fabric.
Acknowledging the industry’s lag behind European counterparts, Sir Keir pledged a collaborative effort, transcending party politics, to rejuvenate the UK steel industry.
Putting ‘Party Politics Aside’
“We will put party politics aside, partner with devolved regions, industry and trade unions alike to give UK steel its future back.”As part of his larger mission to deliver clean power by 2023, Sir Keir unveiled the Green Prosperity Plan, a decade-long investment initiative aimed at fostering clean steel production.
He underscored Labour’s commitment to standing by steelmakers, promising support instead of abandonment. His visit to Tata’s Port Talbot plant in South Wales emphasised this commitment, where he assured steelworkers that Labour would safeguard their future.
The government had recently announced a substantial investment of up to £500 million in Port Talbot, geared toward producing greener steel. However, this transition could potentially lead to the loss of approximately 3,000 jobs.
The funding will facilitate the shift from coal-fired blast furnaces to electric arc versions, capable of operating on zero-carbon electricity. This move aligns with efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
Additionally, challenges loom over Scunthorpe-based British Steel, with around 2,000 jobs reportedly at risk. Despite these uncertainties, the government affirmed its commitment to the steel sector, emphasising collaboration with the industry to ensure a sustainable and competitive future.
A spokesman for the Government said: “Our commitment to the UK steel sector is clear, including announcing a major package of support on energy costs and recent Government financing to enable greener steel production by Tata Steel at Port Talbot.
“We continue to work closely with industry, including British Steel, to secure a sustainable and competitive future for the UK steel industry.”
During his visit, the Labour leader engaged with representatives from key steelworkers’ unions, including Community, GMB, and Unite.
Labour ‘On The Side Of Steelworkers’
He said: “It is clear that Labour is on the side of steelworkers, and we need a Keir Starmer-led Labour government that will deliver the investment needed for our industry to thrive. After three years of discussions, the deal that Tata and the UK Government have cooked up—with no input from the unions—is a botched plan for decarbonisation on the cheap.”Meanwhile, Unite presented a detailed plan encompassing a £12 billion, 12-year phased transition to green steel, coupled with changes in procurement rules to boost the usage of 100 percent British steel in public contracts.
Sir Keir’s pledge not only resonates with the steel industry but also encapsulates Labour’s vision for sustainable growth, emphasising the importance of long-term planning and collaboration between stakeholders.
A Labour spokesman said: “We’ll invest in the communities that are at the heart of the future by investing £3 billion over a decade to greening steel across the UK, from Port Talbot to Rutherglen, to Scunthorpe. Our long-term plan for steel will see a ten-year commitment to invest in the new green technologies we need to keep UK steel competitive, ensure jobs stay in the UK and reduce our carbon emissions.
“That’s the difference between Labour and the Conservatives, they lurch from crisis to crisis while Labour has a plan for a decade of national renewal.”
