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| Time is running out for UK steel industry, trade chief tells ministers | Time is running out for UK steel industry, trade chief tells ministers |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The head of UK Steel has warned the government that the industry is at a critical crossroads and ministers must decide whether they are prepared to do everything they can to prevent further trauma. | The head of UK Steel has warned the government that the industry is at a critical crossroads and ministers must decide whether they are prepared to do everything they can to prevent further trauma. |
| Gareth Stace, director of the trade association, spoke before addressing what is likely to be a highly charged hearing on Tuesday afternoon of a committee of MPs. | Gareth Stace, director of the trade association, spoke before addressing what is likely to be a highly charged hearing on Tuesday afternoon of a committee of MPs. |
| “Time is not on our side,” said Stace before the meeting of the business, innovation and skills select committee. | “Time is not on our side,” said Stace before the meeting of the business, innovation and skills select committee. |
| Related: Can the government save Britain's ailing steel industry? | Related: Can the government save Britain's ailing steel industry? |
| “Ever since the business secretary called for the emergency steel summit two weeks ago the clock has been ticking. Time is rapidly running out and the steel industry needs assurances from government that it is going to deliver on its promises.” | “Ever since the business secretary called for the emergency steel summit two weeks ago the clock has been ticking. Time is rapidly running out and the steel industry needs assurances from government that it is going to deliver on its promises.” |
| The industry is facing the double impact of high energy costs and the dumping of steel from heavy producers such as China. In the past few weeks about 5,000 job cuts have been announced in the sector by Tata Steel, SSI UK, which owns the Redcar steelworks, and Caparo Industries, many of whose subsidiaries have gone into administration. | The industry is facing the double impact of high energy costs and the dumping of steel from heavy producers such as China. In the past few weeks about 5,000 job cuts have been announced in the sector by Tata Steel, SSI UK, which owns the Redcar steelworks, and Caparo Industries, many of whose subsidiaries have gone into administration. |
| UK steelmakers are seeking compensation, promised in the budget earlier this year, for UK green levies that make the cost of electricity for UK users higher than for their European counterparts. | UK steelmakers are seeking compensation, promised in the budget earlier this year, for UK green levies that make the cost of electricity for UK users higher than for their European counterparts. |
| Sajid Javid, the business secretary, has promised to try to negotiate these packages with the European commission, which needs to ensure they do not breach state aid competition rules. | Sajid Javid, the business secretary, has promised to try to negotiate these packages with the European commission, which needs to ensure they do not breach state aid competition rules. |
| Said Stace: “Ministers, up to and including the prime minister, are saying the right things about compensation, making sure there is action on unfair dumping of steel and ensuring building projects in the UK use British steel – but the practical reality is that these measures must be driven home and delivered.” |