Sir Keir Starmer sets out his vision for the steel industry on visit to Scunthorpe
The Labour leader has been on a tour of British Steel in the town
Last updated 8th Jun 2023
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been in Scunthorpe today to launch the party's strategy on green technology and the steel industry.
At the town's steelworks he pledged a future Labour Government would invest into the sector alongside a drive for greener power sources which they say would make steel more competitive.
He's promising Labour will invest 3 billion pounds into the UK's steel industry if they win the next election.
Sir Keir said:
"The discussions we are having today are about the future of steel, there is agreed sense that things need to change.
"We need to change from the old model to the new model, from yesterday's jobs to tomorrows jobs.
"That means moving at pace to green steel.
"That can be done if you have an incoming Labour Government that will partner with the sector - come up alongside it.
"Match the investment that's put in and take the tough decisions that are needed to ensure this transition can take place, and that's what we've been discussing this morning".
British Steel in April said it would offer alternative jobs to around 250 workers affected by the closure of its Scunthorpe coke ovens, which it said would close as part of its drive to overcome global economic challenges and build a greener future.
Labour's own proposals for the sector including including the steel sector among the recipients of investment support from a proposed national wealth fund, which will back business investment in new technology such as hydrogen and electric arc furnaces.
The party also believes that its plan for British-produced green energy will boost the long-term competitiveness of UK steel and drive down costs.
Labour argues that plans to increase generation of offshore wind, solar, nuclear, hydrogen will generate demand for millions of tonnes of UK steel.
Sir Keir accused Rishi Sunak of acting like a "passive bystander" when it comes to securing international investment to support business and jobs in the UK.
It comes as Mr Sunak prepares to meet Joe Biden in the White House on Thursday.
"The Prime Minister is impotently asking the President to open up to UK business, but those asks aren't underpinned by any sense of a plan for UK industry," the Labour leader said.
"The United States' ground-breaking legislation has created more jobs in seven months than the UK has in seven years.
"The Conservative response is to criticise it from the side lines, then ask for a piece of the pie, woefully exposing their lack of plan.
"The UK is becoming a passive bystander in a global race for the jobs and industries of the future.
"Labour will pull all levers needed to drive forward jobs and growth in Britain.
"We'll invest to rebuild Britain's industrial strength.
"We'll harness the ambition and hunger of British business, the skills and talents of our workers, and create tens of thousands of high skilled jobs, growing vibrant economies in all parts of the UK."
A Government spokesperson said:
"Steel plays a vital role in the UK economy, supporting local jobs and economic growth. We want to secure a decarbonised, sustainable and competitive future for the UK steel sector, and we are working closely with industry to achieve this.
"We have made an offer of support to British Steel, and continue to engage actively with the company to ensure any investment would be successful and make effective use of taxpayers' money."