Ministers criticised as British Steel cuts 400 jobs

BRITISH STEEL is planning to cut 400 jobs in countries including the UK under moves to secure a “sustainable future”, the company has announced.

Managerial, professional and administrative roles will be affected, but the firm said no closures were being considered under plans which must now be put to consultation.

British Steel employs 4,000 workers in the UK, mainly in Scunthorpe.

Unions said the announcement was a “body blow”, while Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin said the news was “devastating” for workers.

“They have taken a pay cut, seen their pensions change and worked hard to get British Steel on its way,” the Labour MP said.

“Three years on from the height of the steel crisis the Conservative Government hasn’t taken any steps to level the playing field for the UK steel industry.

“Despite massive goodwill from the steel sector there is still no sector deal for steel in place.

“And the Government is dragging its feet on improving public procurement, tackling unequal energy costs, tackling high business taxes and supporting capital investment.”

Sheffield MP Gill Furniss, Shadow Steel Minister, said: “Workers at British Steel fought against the odds to defend the company’s future, even though the Government has refused to properly support the industry.

“Workers will see this as another blow to an already fragile situation and will worry it’s a prelude to further job losses.”

A Business Department spokesman said the Government “regularly engages with the steel sector and is in contact with the company and unions”, and would continue to do so.