This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34561630
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Tata Steel job cuts: Industry is 'in crisis' | Tata Steel job cuts: Industry is 'in crisis' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The steel industry is "in crisis" and needs "life-saving surgery", the director of UK Steel has warned. | The steel industry is "in crisis" and needs "life-saving surgery", the director of UK Steel has warned. |
Gareth Stace has called on Business Secretary Sajid Javid to honour promises he has made to address some of the challenges facing the industry. | Gareth Stace has called on Business Secretary Sajid Javid to honour promises he has made to address some of the challenges facing the industry. |
It comes as Tata Steel is expected to announce 1,200 job cuts at sites in Scunthorpe and Lanarkshire. | It comes as Tata Steel is expected to announce 1,200 job cuts at sites in Scunthorpe and Lanarkshire. |
Mr Javid said "there is no straightforward solution to the complex global challenges" facing the industry. | Mr Javid said "there is no straightforward solution to the complex global challenges" facing the industry. |
'Stem flow of blood' | 'Stem flow of blood' |
The Tata Steel redundancies follow the closure of the blast furnace and coke ovens at SSI's plant in Redcar, Teesside, where 2,200 jobs have been lost. | The Tata Steel redundancies follow the closure of the blast furnace and coke ovens at SSI's plant in Redcar, Teesside, where 2,200 jobs have been lost. |
"Sajid Javid needs to deliver now, in days and weeks not months and years, on energy costs, business rates costs and fair trade," said Mr Stace. | "Sajid Javid needs to deliver now, in days and weeks not months and years, on energy costs, business rates costs and fair trade," said Mr Stace. |
"What I would say is that we need to stem this flow of blood, not with sticking plasters but now with life-saving surgery. The steel industry really is now in crisis." | "What I would say is that we need to stem this flow of blood, not with sticking plasters but now with life-saving surgery. The steel industry really is now in crisis." |
Tata Steel is expected to significantly reduce the workforce at its Scunthorpe site, which employs 4,000 people and is one of the UK's largest steel plants. | Tata Steel is expected to significantly reduce the workforce at its Scunthorpe site, which employs 4,000 people and is one of the UK's largest steel plants. |
It may also cut jobs at Clydebridge, Cambuslang, and Dalzell, Motherwell. | It may also cut jobs at Clydebridge, Cambuslang, and Dalzell, Motherwell. |
Tata has not yet confirmed the job cuts but said it has been facing challenges in the UK, including a surge in steel imports and the strong pound. | Tata has not yet confirmed the job cuts but said it has been facing challenges in the UK, including a surge in steel imports and the strong pound. |
A spokesman for Tata, which employs about 17,000 people in the UK, said on Friday: "We've made a number of structural changes to our UK business over the last months and years to make us more competitive. | A spokesman for Tata, which employs about 17,000 people in the UK, said on Friday: "We've made a number of structural changes to our UK business over the last months and years to make us more competitive. |
"Like all companies we continue to review the performance of our business." | "Like all companies we continue to review the performance of our business." |
'Supporting workers' | 'Supporting workers' |
Mr Javid said: "There is no straightforward solution to the complex global challenges facing the steel industry. | Mr Javid said: "There is no straightforward solution to the complex global challenges facing the steel industry. |
"The government is committed to working closely with industry on both short-term and long-term issues and to doing everything we can to support both industry and the workers. | "The government is committed to working closely with industry on both short-term and long-term issues and to doing everything we can to support both industry and the workers. |
"A strong economy underpins everything and we will continue to focus on securing the UK's economic recovery across the UK." | "A strong economy underpins everything and we will continue to focus on securing the UK's economic recovery across the UK." |
Unions have also called on ministers to take urgent action to save the industry, while CBI director-general John Cridland has urged the government to work with businesses on a long-term industrial strategy. | Unions have also called on ministers to take urgent action to save the industry, while CBI director-general John Cridland has urged the government to work with businesses on a long-term industrial strategy. |
Mr Javid chaired a summit in Rotherham on Friday, involving unions, business leaders and ministers, that had been organised in light of the SSI closure. | Mr Javid chaired a summit in Rotherham on Friday, involving unions, business leaders and ministers, that had been organised in light of the SSI closure. |
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said her party "will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find and secure a viable future for these plants and for our steel industry here in Scotland". | |
She told her party conference in Aberdeen: "If our worst fears are realised next week, I can confirm that I will immediately establish a task force to work with the company, the trade unions and the relevant local authorities." |