Angry unions call move a ‘kick in the teeth’ for loyal staff and warn Tata have fired the ‘starting gun on the death of UK steel’
More than half of the current workforce of nearly 5,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs in the restructuring of the plant. The company says its UK operations are losing £1m a day.for £500m funding to install an electric arc furnace at the site. The switch to electric arc furnaces will dramatically reduce carbon emissions, producing cleaner “green steel” while making steel production more efficient. Ministers believe the deal will help secure other steel jobs in the UK.
“We believe our £1.25bn proposal to transition to green steel-making will secure the business for the longer term, bolster UK steel security and help develop a green ecosystem in the region.“We are committed to meaningful information and consultation process with our trade union partners and will carefully consider any proposals put forward.