Anger as China steel bought for Tees project

POLITICAL leaders and unions have described reports that Chinese steel will be used for the Net Zero Teesside project as "a slap in the face" for UK industry.

- By COREENA FORD

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says the decision is “staggering”

It is understood that steel will be imported from a manufacturer in China to create the Government-backed £4bn power plant in Redcar, on the site of SSI's steel operation which closed in 2015, triggering 1,700 job losses.

A deal for construction steel is said to have been struck between Net Zero Teesside (NZT) and Suzhou based Modern Modular Engineering and Construction Company (MMEC), sparking outrage among politicians, workers and unions.

NZT is backed by BP, energy giant Total and Equinor, and also receives Government funding.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "It's frankly staggering that thousands of tonnes of Chinese steel will be imported for NZT on Teesworks while the UK's own steel industry remains on its knees.

"I've raised this issue directly with Government ministers, officials and the leadership at NZT and have been absolutely clear that this is wrong. Those warnings have clearly fallen on deaf ears.

"Here in Teesside we know better than anywhere else the devastation caused by the closure of industries like steelmaking. To now use Chinese steel on the very site where our own steelworks shut a decade ago is nothing short of a slap in the face.

"This is a project backed by the UK Government and taxpayer money, so there is no excuse for British steel not being at the heart of it, particularly when we have the skills, experience and capability right here.