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Unions demand UK steel industry help at crisis summit Unions demand UK steel industry help at crisis summit
(35 minutes later)
Unions are to demand ministers take urgent action to save the UK steel industry at a crisis summit called after a major plant in Teesside closed.Unions are to demand ministers take urgent action to save the UK steel industry at a crisis summit called after a major plant in Teesside closed.
They will outline measures to help the industry at a summit being attended by business leaders and ministers.They will outline measures to help the industry at a summit being attended by business leaders and ministers.
It follows the closure of the SSI steel plant in Redcar, Teesside with the loss of thousands of jobs. It follows the closure of the SSI steel plant in Redcar, with the loss of thousands of jobs.
The government accepts the industry faces tough times but warned there was no magic bullet to solve its problems.The government accepts the industry faces tough times but warned there was no magic bullet to solve its problems.
'Skilled jobs'
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community Union, says ministers should have stepped in to save the industrial assets at Redcar.Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community Union, says ministers should have stepped in to save the industrial assets at Redcar.
"The summit must not be a talking shop," he said."The summit must not be a talking shop," he said.
"There is a case for urgent, short-term action to help create a level-playing field for UK steel producers.""There is a case for urgent, short-term action to help create a level-playing field for UK steel producers."
The Unite Union has also called for the government to put steel at the heart of an industrial strategy.The Unite Union has also called for the government to put steel at the heart of an industrial strategy.
"The steel industry is at crisis point," said Tony Burke, the union's assistant general secretary."The steel industry is at crisis point," said Tony Burke, the union's assistant general secretary.
"Unless the government pursues an industrial strategy with a 'steel heart' then sound-bites like 'Northern Powerhouse' and 'March of the Makers' will be nothing more than empty rhetoric for communities who rely on skilled jobs in steel and manufacturing.""Unless the government pursues an industrial strategy with a 'steel heart' then sound-bites like 'Northern Powerhouse' and 'March of the Makers' will be nothing more than empty rhetoric for communities who rely on skilled jobs in steel and manufacturing."
Steel industry wish listSteel industry wish list
Help with high energy pricesHelp with high energy prices
Back EU action on anti-dumping/unfair importsBack EU action on anti-dumping/unfair imports
Reform business ratesReform business rates
Fair implementation of regulationsFair implementation of regulations
Support local content in major construction projectsSupport local content in major construction projects
Industry problems Exchange rate
But the industry is facing some issues that the government cannot solve including the high pound and cheap imports.But the industry is facing some issues that the government cannot solve including the high pound and cheap imports.
"The pound - euro exchange rate means European steel is very competitive and hampers UK exports," says Peter Brennan of Platts."The pound - euro exchange rate means European steel is very competitive and hampers UK exports," says Peter Brennan of Platts.
"Anti-dumping cases are cutting off markets and the slowdown in Chinese consumption means the excess is flooding into international markets, weakening prices," he added."Anti-dumping cases are cutting off markets and the slowdown in Chinese consumption means the excess is flooding into international markets, weakening prices," he added.
As recently as the 1970's the UK steel industry employed more than 200,000 workers. Today that's closer to 30,000. In the 1970s the UK steel industry employed more than 200,000 workers. Today that is closer to 30,000.
The jobs are often in areas of high unemployment, like the North East of England and South Wales.The jobs are often in areas of high unemployment, like the North East of England and South Wales.
So while there's unlikely to be any new money on the table at the summit, the Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who will chair the event, will be under pressure to deliver. So while there is unlikely to be any new money on the table at the summit, the Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who will chair the event, will be under pressure to deliver.
'Hugely difficult time''Hugely difficult time'
Efforts are expected to focus on areas like procurement and infrastructure projects where the government can exert some influence.Efforts are expected to focus on areas like procurement and infrastructure projects where the government can exert some influence.
In a statement ahead of the summit, Mr Javid said: "This is a hugely difficult time for the steel industry across the world - one of the toughest times ever.In a statement ahead of the summit, Mr Javid said: "This is a hugely difficult time for the steel industry across the world - one of the toughest times ever.
"It is a worldwide problem, and while it will not be solved overnight, we will work closely in partnership with the industry to help find some answers"."It is a worldwide problem, and while it will not be solved overnight, we will work closely in partnership with the industry to help find some answers".
"There is no magic bullet and we can't change the price of steel, but we can forensically work through all of the challenges we know the industry is facing to see what solutions there might be"."There is no magic bullet and we can't change the price of steel, but we can forensically work through all of the challenges we know the industry is facing to see what solutions there might be".
Whatever comes of the summit, it will be too late for the workers at Redcar.Whatever comes of the summit, it will be too late for the workers at Redcar.
On Thursday final shifts at the plant were emptying the coke ovens before they were irretrievably shut down.On Thursday final shifts at the plant were emptying the coke ovens before they were irretrievably shut down.
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