Closure of Scunthorpe’s steel plant “would be like an earthquake” with “aftershocks going on for generations”, a candidate standing to become Greater Lincolnshire Mayor has said.
British Steel have announced they are considering shutting down the site’s two blast furnaces, putting 2,700 workers at risk of losing their jobs.
The company said that the operation was no longer “financially sustainable” due to increasing costs.
A consultation could see the closure of both of their blast furnaces, steelmaking operations and rod mill by early June 2025.
Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire council and Conservative candidate for the Greater Lincolnshire Mayor, said: “I could not quite believe it and I think we all felt really flat. I think we all feel as a community just rocked to our core that this announcement has come.”
Speaking exclusively to LSJ News, he added: “It would not only be an economic loss now, but the social impact would also be phenomenal for decades”
Steel production has been a major economic driver in Scunthorpe for more than 160 years.
The closure would also mean that the UK will become the only G7 nation without the ability to produce steel from scratch.
Councillor Waltham – who has led North Lincolnshire Council for eight years – grew up in Scunthorpe and has family links to the site.
He said: “As somebody who’s lived in the community for most of my life, my dad worked at the steelworks, everybody went there, did my work experience there at school. It was just something we all did.”
He added: “The economic impact will reverberate throughout the county.”
Chinese company Jingye has owned British steel since 2020 and has invested more than £1.2 billion in the company and has claimed its losses have started to reach £700,000 a day.
Labour councillor Len Foster, who represents Brumby, shares Councillor Waltham concerns over the proposals and said “we’ll deal with the devil” to save the situation.
He said: “Words, fail me. The magnitude of the announcement cannot be understated. It’s not just 2,000 jobs that will be lost, but it’s also 2,000 families that are going to be affected by this.”
The British Steel owner had rejected an offer of £500 million from the government to help support the industry, as they were looking for an offer reaching £1 billion.
Councillor Foster believed the government has been put in a “difficult position” but believes they will fight to save it.
He said: “Our local MP has been working behind the scenes like a beaver trying to help the situation”
He added: “I worked in the industry for over 40 years. My family worked in steel; everyone I knew worked in steel. It’s the lifeblood of the community and this will have a catastrophic impact on all those involved.”
Trade Unions have banded together to protest this decision and will give their views in the consultation.
Daniel Parker, a spokesperson for Community Union, who represent steel workers nationally said: ” This is the last steel production site left after the one in Port Talbot shut down, so it is extremely important that we fight to save it”
He added: “We want to do whatever we can to support those who are affected by this”
