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Commenting on the news today (Monday) that the SSI steel plant in Redcar is to close, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

date: Monday 28 September 2015
embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the news today (Monday) that the SSI steel plant in Redcar is to close, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Today’s announcement is a massive blow to the government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda and British industry. There now needs to be a comprehensive, rapid response plan to help workers affected by the closure.

“The future of British steel-making is at a crossroads. At a time when competitor nations are spending heavily on helping their energy-intensive industries to become greener, companies in the UK are being forced to pay huge costs.

“The Chancellor must provide more financial support for manufacturers in November’s spending review. If the government does nothing plants like SSI will continue to close.

“British steel-making contributes over £45bn to the UK economy and provides the kind of high-skilled labour we need to boost productivity. It can’t be allowed to wither on the vine.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews

Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Thu and Fri)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk

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