Negotiations ongoing over potential steel job losses, says Scunthorpe MP
Reports suggest as many as 2,000 jobs could be cut at Scunthorpe-based British Steel.
Last updated 25th Oct 2023
Talks between the government and British Steel are still ongoing over alleged plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs at the Scunthorpe-based firm, according to Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft.
Reports in the Sunday Times suggested the cuts, which would amount to nearly half of British Steel's 4,500 workforce, were being considered by the firm's Chinese owner due to ongoing losses.
Holly Mumby Croft said: "Negotiations are still ongoing between British Steel and the government. Those conversations are happening very regularly and as residents would expect I am putting my views forward on the future of our steel industry.
"I want people to rest assured that I am here in Westminster and sticking up for our area and doing everything I can to make sure that government understands not only how important those jobs are locally for us but how important the steel industry is nationally as well."
A government spokesperson 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 a visit to Port Talbot, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer promised to make the UK a world leader in clean green steel, and has made delivering clean power by 2030 one of his five missions for a Labour government.
Holly Mumby-Croft, whose grandfather was a steelworker, said: "No one can go a single day without having to use steel and that's something I am constantly point out, it is the beating heart of our nation and I am extremely proud to have it in my constituency and I will always fight for it"