South Yorkshire steel MP John Healey has backed calls for the government to support the steel industry.
UK Steel, which represents the steel industry, has called on the Chancellor to announce help for the steel sector in the Budget on 22 November.
The organisation has made a number of recommendations, including:
- Help with energy costs
- New funds for capital investments and R&D
- Reform of business rates, to bring them into line with European competitors
Mr Healey, MP for Liberty Steel’s Aldwarke plant in Rotherham, said:
“Liberty has shown its commitment to our South Yorkshire steel by putting on jobs and firing up equipment that’s been out of use.
“Now we need the government to play its part. This is a ‘something for something’ Budget bid and, having done half a dozen budgets as a Treasury minister, it’s a submission the government should take seriously.
“This is a time of new opportunities for our UK steel but there is still much to do to put the sector on a more prosperous and sustainable footing. We need the government to step in and help the steel industry unlock its potential.”