Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority offers support to British Steel with new charter
Leading councillors have vowed to do all they can to protect the area's at-risk steel workers.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority unanimously voted to sign a 'steel charter', in which members committed to using British-made steel across the area, at a meeting today (Wednesday June 25).
The landmark motion follows follows months of uncertainty for steel workers in Scunthorpe, who faced the risk of significant job losses without emergency intervention from the government.
The charter was signed at the meeting of the Greater Lincolnshire Business and Infrastructure Board - with the aim to help protect jobs and develop stronger manufacturing supply chains across the UK.
North Lincolnshire council leader Rob Waltham said: "I think we have to do our best to protect British Steel. It's really important for people in Scunthorpe and I know they will support the commitment today."
The Conservative councillor, who represents the Brigg and Wolds ward, added he would like to ensure the nation isn't relying on steel production in other countries.
Scunthorpe Conservative councillor Neil Poole praised the work of British Steel.
He said: "Obviously with the destabilisation we're seeing across the world and various conflicts, it's an integral part, I believe of our defence to ensure that we've got the capacity to produce British steel in the United Kingdom. It's that quality that we may need in the future."
Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkins (Reform UK) said: "I want you all to be rest assured that every ministerial call and meeting I've had, I've been banging the drum for British Steel. Even so much so that when I meet with people from STEP Fusion, I've asked if I can take the British Steel management with me to make sure their involved in the conversations."
She added: "We need the whole country to be behind British Steel."
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority is headed by the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. It brings together Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council in a bid to make decisions across the whole region.
