Steelworkers go to No. 10 to call for urgent UK Government help

Steelworkers from Tata Steel UK, British Steel, Liberty Steel, Celsa Steel and Outokumpu marched on No. 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister on Monday.

The group – led by Community union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss turned up at No. 10 to deliver a petition and call on ministers to do more to support the industry as it fights soaring energy costs and cheap foreign imports.

Roy Rickhuss said: “The steel industry is approaching a cliff edge. Soaring energy prices and cheap steel being dumped on our shores have put our industry in jeopardy.”

“Britain needs a strong steel industry for a prosperous and resilient economy, to deliver net zero, for our national security, and to safeguard high quality jobs in places that really need them.

“The Government must step up. Their continued lack of support is killing our industry and time is running out. If they don’t act now, we’ll lose our industry forever.”

“Thousands of people have signed this petition in support of Government action to protect our industry. With the public behind us, the Government cannot ignore us.”

Mark Davies, Port Talbot steelworker and Chair of the union’s national steel sector committee, said:

“Our industry supports tens of thousands of good jobs and steel communities across Britain. If this government is serious about levelling-up then they should start by backing our steel industry.

“Without government action our jobs are on the line and plant closures would be absolutely devastating. That’s why we’re going to Downing Street to send a message to the Prime Minister. We’re going to fight for our industry because at stake are our jobs and our communities, our way of life and our future.”