Politicians trade verbal blows over steel sector

TEESSIDE politicians have engaged in the blame game as the Government moves to nationalise British Steel.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

Parliament was recalled at the weekend and passed emergency legislation giving the Government new powers to intervene directly in the steel sector and take action to secure operations at British Steel's threatened Scunthorpe site.

This followed fears that Jingye, the Chinese owners of the company, could shut the plant's two blast furnaces, risking the livelihoods of 2,700 workers and the loss of the UK’s primary steelmaking capacity.

British Steel also operates the Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby, which delivers steel for the construction industry and another rolling mill, the special profiles plant in Skinningrove, East Cleveland, which together employ about 700 people.

Some local Labour MPs suggested the former Conservative government could have similarly intervened to save the former Redcar steelworks, which closed in 2015 with the loss of 2,000 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs.

Redcar Labour MP Anna Turley said: "This will enhance the powers of the secretary of state and ensure that the Government has the authority to intervene decisively in the national interest and protect skilled jobs in our communities.