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British Steel needs carbon costs relief to save thousands of Scunthorpe jobs, unions say

UNIONS have said British Steel has “warmed” to their plan to keep two blast furnaces open in Scunthorpe and save thousands of jobs.

GMB, Community and Unite, however, warned today that the government must meet the “additional carbon costs” involved in order to proceed with their bid to save thousands of jobs.

The unions presented their plan for the transition to low carbon steelmaking to bosses from British Steel owner Jingye this week.

A GMB spokesman said the company accepted a number of their plan’s recommendations and findings but that the future of the blast furnaces remains unresolved. 

GMB national officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said that “the major barrier” is the additional carbon costs to be paid under government policy regulations. 

“For our plan to be viable — we need ministers to provide relief from these policy costs, just as other European countries have done,” she added.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: “This government will simply not allow the end of steel making in the UK. That’s why we’ve committed up to £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK steel industry and support communities now and for generations to come.

“We’re working across government in partnership with trade unions and businesses, including British Steel, to secure a green steel transition that’s right for the workforce, represents a good investment for taxpayers and safeguards the future of the steel industry in Britain.”

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