Government can’t abandon steel industry, says TUC

Commenting ahead of today’s (Saturday) “Save Our Steel” rally in Sheffield, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“The crisis in British steel isn’t over. One in six steelworkers face losing their jobs. Britain desperately needs a long-term industrial plan, but Ministers have refused to commit to one. 

“The closure of factories will devastate surrounding communities, and causes jobs losses throughout the supply chain. The Chancellor’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’ has to be more than a slogan for a party conference: the North needs real support for job-rich industries with strategic economic value. 

“British steelworkers contribute over £2 billion to our balance of trade. Every steelworker generates over £90,000 of added value. These aren’t jobs we can simply watch fade away. 

“The US has taken strong steps to protect its steel industry, and so can we. I have written to the Prime Minister proposing international action to stop China dumping cheap steel on the global market. 

“All we see from the government is inaction at home, and inaction abroad. In the short run we need action on Chinese steel dumping. In the long run we need a serious industrial strategy.”

NOTES TO EDITORS: 
- Frances O’Grady will speak at the “Save Our Steel” rally in Sheffield at 14:35 on Saturday 21 November.
- 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:
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
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk 
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Wed and Thur)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk