As Westminster MPs reconvene to deliberate the future of British Steel in Scunthorpe, hundreds of the town’s steelworkers and their families have taken to the streets in a show of solidarity and determination. The future of the steelworks, a vital source of employment for 2,700 locals, hangs in the balance. The protesters, many of them sporting Scunthorpe United FC jerseys, marched to Glanford Park, the heart of this proud, working-class North Lincolnshire town, chanting, ‘We want our steel back!’. The marchers included locals whose lives are intertwined with the steel industry, such as Dave Palmer, whose family history is steeped in steelwork. According to Thomas Smith, a British Steel plant operator and branch secretary for the Community union, news of potential nationalisation of British Steel was met with optimism. However, the crowd expressed their frustration towards Jingye, British Steel’s Chinese owner, accusing it of financial neglect. Despite this, Smith expressed gratitude towards Jingye for stepping in when no one else would. The march had a clear message: the potential closure of the steelworks would not only impact the steelworkers but also the wider town and their future generations. The unity and resilience of the steelworkers was palpable, as Glanford Park’s stadium manager, Martin Hopper, highlighted the club’s support for them. Amidst all the uncertainty, the hope remains that a sustainable solution for British Steel in Scunthorpe can be found.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
