'Shutting furnaces at British Steel will make UK less safe'

BRITISH Steel's plan to close its two blast furnaces will leave the UK “less safe and less sovereign” the Government was warned yesterday.

- Katie Harris

Chinese owner Jingye is launching a consultation on shutting the furnaces at Scunthorpe steelworks, raising fears of heavy job losses.

The move would also make Britain the only G7 country unable to make its own steel.

Lord Ben Houchen, Tory mayor of Tees Valley, said: “This is devastating for Britain.

“Losing our ability to make steel in a world as insecure as this, is not just short-sighted, it's dangerous.

“A country that can't make its own steel is a country that's less safe and less sovereign.