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Government Secures Raw Materials for British Steel Plant in Scunthorpe
The UK government has confirmed that it has successfully secured the necessary raw materials to sustain operations at the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe through the upcoming summer months.
On Saturday, 55,000 tonnes of blast furnace coke arrived from Australia at the port of Immingham, with plans for the material to be transported by rail to Scunthorpe.
Additionally, a shipment of over 66,000 tonnes of iron ore pellets and 27,000 tonnes of iron ore fines is expected to reach the facility from Sweden next week.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who played a crucial role in the government’s intervention in the plant’s operations, stated that the news would bring relief to steel workers and their families.
The funding for these supplies has been allocated from the existing budget of the Department for Business and Trade.
“By securing the raw materials essential for Scunthorpe’s operation in the near future, we are helping to protect thousands of vital steel jobs,” Reynolds remarked. “Now, British Steel workers and their families can find comfort in knowing we are committed to their welfare.”
In the meantime, British Steel has made several new executive appointments, which include an interim chief operating officer and a human resources director, following the government’s recent enactment of emergency legislation to take control of the company from its Chinese owner, Jingye.
Allan Bell, the interim chief executive of British Steel, expressed gratitude for the procurement efforts. “We have successfully secured the necessary raw materials to keep the blast furnaces operational, allowing our steel production to continue,” he stated.
He acknowledged the tireless efforts of the procurement, technical, and operational teams, which were instrumental in achieving these supplies within tight timelines. “In the coming months, our focus will shift towards stabilizing operations for the long term and reaffirming British Steel’s position as one of the leading manufacturers of steel globally,” Bell added.
Alasdair McDiarmid, Assistant General Secretary of the Community Union, which represents steelworkers, praised the recent shipments. “The arrival of coke and other vital raw materials provides essential reassurance for our members in Scunthorpe,” he noted. “We appreciate the decisive actions taken by British Steel and the government to secure a sustainable future for the company, reflecting their commitment to the workforce.”
Notably, this recent shipment of materials comes on the heels of British Steel’s announcement to cancel a consultation on redundancies, initially initiated in March, thus protecting 2,700 jobs that were previously at risk.
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Source
www.bbc.com