Statement On Emergency Meeting Over The Future Of British Steel

Please see below for a joint statement from Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Tees Valley’s MPs and Council Leaders on the emergency meeting to agree a joint plan of action covering all scenarios following the announcement that British Steel had entered liquidation.

“We, as the region’s Mayors, Council Leaders and MPs, have today met for an urgent summit called to discuss the ongoing British Steel crisis.

“The news that the company has entered liquidation and that 700 direct jobs in Tees Valley, with hundreds more in the supply chain, could be threatened has understandably caused a lot of anguish and uncertainty for workers and their families. We know all too well the devastation and heartache caused when more than 3,000 people lost their jobs overnight following the closure of the SSI Steelworks nearly four years ago.

“We are determined to learn from the lessons of SSI and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. We have vowed to do all we can to protect British Steel’s profitable plants at Lackenby and Skinningrove, and safeguard all 700 jobs in the region.

“This issue is bigger than party politics, and that is why we have come to work together and stand united to fight for our region. While we wait to hear the details of the liquidator’s plans our immediate and overriding priority is to support efforts to secure a new owner for British Steel in its entirety.

“We also maintain that all options to save the company must remain on the table, including significant public subsidy and nationalisation.

“Together we are calling on Government to step up, work with local political leaders and do all that is needed to avert a second blow to our region’s livelihood.”