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Steel workers march on parliament as Sajid Javid pledges talks with EU Steelworkers march on parliament as Sajid Javid pledges talks with EU
(about 2 hours later)
The business secretary will hold talks with European Union officials about the steel crisis, as workers protest in Westminster before a parliamentary debate on the industry’s plight.The business secretary will hold talks with European Union officials about the steel crisis, as workers protest in Westminster before a parliamentary debate on the industry’s plight.
Sajid Javid is travelling to Brussels to call for an emergency EU meeting on the state of the steel industry and unfair trade practices. He will discuss international trading of steel with the EU’s trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, and meet other officials.Sajid Javid is travelling to Brussels to call for an emergency EU meeting on the state of the steel industry and unfair trade practices. He will discuss international trading of steel with the EU’s trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, and meet other officials.
Javid’s move coincides with an opposition day debate about the UK’s steel sector – which has been rocked by plant shutdowns and thousands of job losses. Steel workers from northern England, the Midlands and Wales will gather outside parliament before meeting MPs ahead of the debate. Javid’s move coincides with an opposition day debate about the UK’s steel sector – which has been rocked by plant shutdowns and thousands of job losses. Steelworkers from northern England, the Midlands and Wales will gather outside parliament before meeting MPs ahead of the debate.
The steel industry, unions and Labour MPs have accused Javid and the government of inaction following the indefinite closure of the Redcar steel mill on Teesside, the administration of Caparo industries and the mothballing of Tata Steel mills in Scunthorpe and Scotland.The steel industry, unions and Labour MPs have accused Javid and the government of inaction following the indefinite closure of the Redcar steel mill on Teesside, the administration of Caparo industries and the mothballing of Tata Steel mills in Scunthorpe and Scotland.
The industry has been battered by falling steel prices, made worse by alleged dumping of cheap steel in Europe by China, high energy costs and the strength of the pound making exports expensive.The industry has been battered by falling steel prices, made worse by alleged dumping of cheap steel in Europe by China, high energy costs and the strength of the pound making exports expensive.
More than 5,000 workers, or one in six in the industry, face losing their job as a result. More closures and job cuts will follow without urgent action to save the industry, Javid’s critics say.More than 5,000 workers, or one in six in the industry, face losing their job as a result. More closures and job cuts will follow without urgent action to save the industry, Javid’s critics say.
He told MPs last week that the government was unable to dictate the price of steel or to get round EU restrictions on national governments supporting industries. But pressure has been building on the government to do something.He told MPs last week that the government was unable to dictate the price of steel or to get round EU restrictions on national governments supporting industries. But pressure has been building on the government to do something.
Javid said: “I want to see steel top of the EU agenda. We cannot stand by while the steel industry across Europe, not just in the UK, faces such unprecedented challenges. There are no straightforward solutions to the complex global challenges but the UK government wants to work with the EU and our European partners.”Javid said: “I want to see steel top of the EU agenda. We cannot stand by while the steel industry across Europe, not just in the UK, faces such unprecedented challenges. There are no straightforward solutions to the complex global challenges but the UK government wants to work with the EU and our European partners.”
The Unite trade union called on the government to stop Chinese steel dumping, help with high energy costs and business rates and make sure UK steel is used in infrastructure projects. Unions last week attacked government pledges to help steel workers find new jobs and support new businesses as woeful. The Unite trade union called on the government to stop Chinese steel dumping, help with high energy costs and business rates and make sure UK steel is used in infrastructure projects. Unions last week attacked government pledges to help steelworkers find new jobs and support new businesses as woeful.
Unite’s assistant general secretary, Tony Burke, said: “The approach by ministers so far has been to deal with the symptoms of the steel crisis, when what steel and manufacturing communities want is action that secures UK steelmaking and secures their futures.Unite’s assistant general secretary, Tony Burke, said: “The approach by ministers so far has been to deal with the symptoms of the steel crisis, when what steel and manufacturing communities want is action that secures UK steelmaking and secures their futures.
“Instead of intervening to keep the coke ovens burning at Redcar, ministers sat on their hands and allowed a key industrial asset to close forever taking with it the livelihoods of thousands of people.”“Instead of intervening to keep the coke ovens burning at Redcar, ministers sat on their hands and allowed a key industrial asset to close forever taking with it the livelihoods of thousands of people.”
Javid said he would discuss the steel sector and industrial strategy with the internal market commissioner, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, and the EU vice-president, Jyrki Katainen. He has also spoken to competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, about speeding up approval of the government’s scheme to compensate energy intensive industries. Javid said he would discuss the steel sector and industrial strategy with the internal market commissioner, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, and the EU vice-president, Jyrki Katainen. He has also spoken to the competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, about speeding up approval of the government’s scheme to compensate energy intensive industries.
Thecrisis escalated last week when China’s President Xi Jinping visited the UK. Industry figures accused the government of failing to raise Chinese dumping forcefully with Xi.Thecrisis escalated last week when China’s President Xi Jinping visited the UK. Industry figures accused the government of failing to raise Chinese dumping forcefully with Xi.
Anna Soubry, the small business, industry and enterprise minister, told a committee of MPs on Tuesday the government would respond to industry demands for more support.Anna Soubry, the small business, industry and enterprise minister, told a committee of MPs on Tuesday the government would respond to industry demands for more support.