SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS STEEL SECTOR BY SIGNING ‘UK STEEL CHARTER’

For immediate release:

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS STEEL SECTOR BY SIGNING ‘UK STEEL CHARTER’

Local MSP Clare Haughey joined Scotland’s Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation at Liberty Steel’s Dalzell Steelworks for the Scottish Government’s official signing of the UK Steel Charter.

As the Rutherglen Reformer reported in last week’s edition (May 29), the charter was launched by industry body UK Steel to urge governments and big firms to buy British.

The procurements steps within the plan aim to transform the way steel and other materials are purchased, by urging buyers to take into account longer term strategic aims such as social and environmental considerations, and Scotland’s long-term economic growth.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, who attended the Scottish Government’s signing of the charter, said it demonstrates the government’s “support for the steel industry”.

As part of its commitment to the UK Steel Charter, the Scottish Government has committed to developing a pipeline of future steel requirements in Scotland, and to clearly advertise all future opportunities for the supply of steel in Scotland, among several other steps.

The news follows on from our report last week, that Liberty Steel, which owns the Clydebridge Plant in Cambuslang and the Dalzell Plant in Motherwell, insists that they will be able to fulfil orders even if British Steel’s Scunthorpe site stops supplying the slab it needs.

Ms Haughey said:

“Cambuslang has a proud history of steelworks, and it is great that Liberty Steel has reaffirmed its commitment to the town and its Clydebridge Plant.

“Although the steel industry is going through a challenging period right now, particularly with the threat of collapse of British Steel, the Scottish Government’s signing of the UK Steel Charter demonstrates their support for the steel industry.

“It was the Scottish Government who stepped in to save the Clydebridge and Dalzell plants in 2016, and I sincerely believe the sector has a viable, long-term future in Scotland.”

Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Ivan McKee, said:

“I am delighted to sign the Steel Charter for the Scottish Government. It is a great example of the power of public procurement to be good for business, employees and communities in the delivery of our purpose to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish.”

Iain Sinclair, Chief Business Development Officer, Liberty Steel UK said:

“This is an excellent initiative. As a foundation industry, steel is very important for the Scottish and UK manufacturing sectors and the wider economy. If government and businesses support our domestic steel sector when making their buying decisions it will help create a sustainable future for us all.”

ENDS

Notes:

Below is a photograph of Clare Haughey MSP at the Scottish Government’s signing of the UK Steel Charter at Dalzell, with Ivan McKee MSP – Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, and representatives of Liberty Steel.