Lincolnshire Council Pledges Solidarity with British Steel – Jobs at Stake

A recent, hastily-convened meeting of the North Lincolnshire Council was filled with defiant voices singing out in support of Scunthorpe’s steelworks. The council members exhibited a rare unity, joining a chorus calling for the nationalisation of the embattled steel company, British Steel. The company’s recent announcement that it might shutter Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces has sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting this urgent council meeting. The council’s unanimous resolution is aimed squarely at supporting the steelworks and its highly-skilled team, ensuring the continuity of steel production in Scunthorpe. This comes in the wake of failed negotiations between British Steel’s owners, Jingye Group, and the Government over a £500m support package aimed at transitioning the company towards a greener model of steel production. The council’s motion, backed by both Conservative and Labour councillors, also pushes for the Government to become a significant long-term stakeholder in the company, possibly through nationalisation, to ensure the ongoing production of primary steel. The council members also resolved to press the UK Government to follow their lead in using UK steel in procurement policies. Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham, along with several colleagues, signalled their preparedness to consider nationalisation as a viable option, should market failure persist. The council’s deep concern for the future of the steelworks was echoed in the words of numerous councillors who referred to the plant as the ‘backbone’ of Scunthorpe and a crucial component of national security.