UK Steel unveils Brexit blueprint
8 Jul 2016
UK Steel has published a Brexit manifesto outlining measures the government should consider to avert crisis in the sector.
The steel industry trade body had previously said remaining part of the EU was its preferred outcome from last month’s referendum.
In response to the ‘leave’ vote, it has published a manifesto laying out suggested steps to allow the steel industry to remain sustainable in the future.
In post-Brexit Britain, self-sufficiency and security of steel supply will be of even greater strategic economic importance
Gareth Stace, director of UK Steel
The manifesto identifies over-capacity, unfair trade, and a lack of parity with European competitors, as the key issues being faced by the industry.
It said this had led to a 60% decline in the number of people employed in the sector since 1995, while Chinese steel exports have rocketed by almost 400% since 2009.
“The outcome of the EU referendum has fanned the flames of the crisis threatening to engulf our entire industry,” said Gareth Stace, director of UK Steel.
“In post-Brexit Britain, self-sufficiency and security of steel supply will be of even greater strategic economic importance – this makes it more important than ever that the Government matches words with actions and takes all necessary steps to support our sector now.”
In its manifesto, UK Steel made a number of recommendations to government that included removing unilateral energy costs, boosting procurement of UK steel, tackling unfair trade, and providing funding mechanisms for energy efficiency projects.
Taking these steps will enable the sector to thrive in the longer term, and provide the UK with security of supply as it splits away from the EU, UK Steel said.
