Steel jobs are back on table
Dalzell production resumes in September
Steel production is set to resume next month at Dalzell Steelworks in Motherwell.
Tata Steel closed their Dalzell plant as well as Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang with the loss of 270 jobs.
Both were later bought by international metals firm Liberty House. About 60 staff are currently working there, with 40 more recruits expected to be hired.
Jon Bolton, chief executive of Liberty Steel UK plate division, said: “This is a significant milestone for the plates business in Scotland, but also positive news for the UK steel sector as steel once again is manufactured in British Steel’s Scunthorpe site to be rolled in Scotland.
“It is pleasing to watch the plant gradually coming back to life as more people arrive on site and particularly pleasing to welcome young apprentices to the team.”
Liberty said that about 70 per cent of the initial wave of recruits were former employees returning to their old jobs.
It has also awarded about 20 new supply contracts, for business and engineering services, to firms in the Motherwell area.
Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear that production will soon be starting again at the Dalzell steelworks.
“Thanks to the work of the Scottish Government’s Steel Task Force, which I am proud to say I was a member of, we have forged a future for steel – an iconic industry of Lanarkshire and Scotland.
“The continuation of the steelworks means a number of well-payed jobs will remain in the community.
“Liberty Steel have pledged to fill an extra 100 jobs at the plant this summer with more in the New Year.
“The Scottish Government are completely committed to creating jobs and opportunities for people.
“Following Brexit, uncertainty has been cast on the UK economy.
“As a response, the Government have announced an additional £100 million in capital spending on top of other infrastructure investments amounting to £ 6 billion to keep people in work and stimulate the Scottish economy.
“The steel industry was not helped by the inaction of the UK Government and they are demonstrating the same inaction now with absolutely no plan postBrexit to secure employment.”