The National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee (NTUSCC) has commented on the sale of British Steel following a meeting with Jinye yesterday [January 9, 2020].

The committee, made up of unions GMB, Unite and Community, said:

“The Steel Committee and senior officials met with Jingye representatives yesterday, who presented their strategy for British Steel which included encouraging plans for major investment in the business.

“However, their proposals to turnaround the business do include impacts on employment and detailed discussions will now take place to fully understand Jingye’s plans and get a deal over line.

Ministers must be prepared to make use of all the options – including nationalisation – in order to save British Steel and the wider steel industry.

“Those discussions will be ongoing over a number of days and, due to the sensitive nature of the issues on the table, we will not be providing a running commentary on developments.

“As we have said before, if the business is to succeed it must retain high quality jobs with good terms and conditions and this will guide our position through the ongoing talks.

“It cannot be just employees who are asked to make sacrifices for the success of the new business.

“For the company to succeed then everyone involved needs to make a contribution, including key suppliers.

“It's in the interests of all stakeholders to secure British Steel and the jobs and communities that depend on its success.”