Securing materials next and most critical step for British Steel’s future

Commenting on the race to keep the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe alight, UK Steel Director-General Gareth Stace said: 

“The Act passed this weekend by the Government gives British Steel and its workers breathing space while a long-term situation for the site’s operations is found.

“The next and most immediate step is securing the iron ore and coking coal needed to keep the furnaces operating. If the furnaces cool down, it is virtually impossible for them to be restarted. 

“We applaud the Herculean efforts of officials and British Steel staff to secure these supplies. Dozens of other steel companies have offered assistance and materials, demonstrating that, at times of crisis, the sector comes together as one. The success of our steel industry sits above any individual business. 

“UK Steel and our members stand ready to do all we can to support British Steel in these efforts.”

ENDS 

Contact details 

Jon Harrison, Regulatory Affairs Manager, UK Steel 
0774 3829613 | jharrison@makeuk.org  

Notes to editors 

UK Steel is the trade association representing steelmakers in the UK. We proudly champion and celebrate the UK’s impressive steel industry. We provide a voice for steel producers of all sizes across every corner of the UK. 

The UK steel sector: 

• Produces 5.6Mt of crude steel a year, equivalent to 70% of the UK’s annual requirement (annual demand of 7.6Mt in 2023, of which 40% was met by domestically produced steel)
• Employs 33,700 people directly in the UK and supports a further 42,000 in supply chains
• The median steel sector salary is £37,315, 26% higher than the UK national median and 35% higher than the regional median in Wales, Yorkshire, and Humberside, where its jobs are concentrated
• Directly contributes £1.8 billion to UK GVA and supports a further £2.4 billion
• Directly contributes £3.4 billion to the UK’s balance of trade 96% of steel used in construction and infrastructure in the UK is recovered and recycled to be used again and again.

 For further information about the steel industry, please see the UK Steel Seven Opportunities for Steel report, 2024 press pack, Why the UK needs a strong steel sector or the 2024 UK Steel Key Statistics report.