Steelworkers call for plan after 'whirlwind' year

A union which represents workers at British Steel has pressed the government for a plan of action following a "whirlwind" year for the company.

In April, the government took control of British Steel's plant in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, to prevent it from closing.

Tom Smith, steelworker and branch secretary for the Community Union, said: "We know that the government has got our back, but we want to know what they want to do next."

Industry minister Chris McDonald said he hoped the plant would be operational "for a century to come", but said "jobs will change" due to a need to "invest in new steel technology".

Smith described the past 12 months at the site as a "whirlwind".

"Believe me when I say this was the closest we've ever been to losing [the blast furnaces] that we've got left," he said.

"When the government said they'd take control, it was absolutely fantastic.

"Everyone around us was like, the hard work has paid off, all the campaigning, the picketing. It was all worthwhile.

"The government now has the chance to right all the wrongs of the previous governments and put us on the right path for a greener future, or just believe in us."

Harry Finnigan, 30, who has worked at the steelworks for 10 years, described the past year as "massive worry" followed by "massive relief".

"It was just a huge weight off my shoulders knowing I was going to continue earning money, having a job to go to, and keep supporting my new family."

"I'm hoping to be there until retirement. It was sort of promised when we started as a job for life. It would be nice to know it's still there for years to come," he added.

In November 2023, British Steel confirmed it planned to close down the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, and move to more energy efficient arc furnaces.

In April, on a visit to the site, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government was determined to make sure "there is a bright future" for the site.

"In time, we want to move to an electric arc furnace. Scunthorpe's future is secure for many decades," she added.

Although the government has control of the site, the Chinese firm Jingye still owns British Steel.

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said negotiations over the company's ownership were under way.

In a written statement in December, he said said the government had so far provided approximately £274m for working capital - covering items such as raw materials, salaries, and addressing unpaid bills.

McDonald said he hoped the site had a long-term future.

"It's been there for over a century and I hope it will be there for a century to come," he said.

"We need the steel products that are being made in Scunthorpe in the UK now. We're going to need them for generations in the future. That's why the government took action to intervene there.

"I do think those jobs will change. They'll be different as we invest in new steel technology.

"It will mean there'll be new reskilling and job opportunities in the steel industry and the supply chain in Humberside and in Scunthorpe of course as well."

British Steel said 2025 had been a "challenging year" but it was "looking to the future with optimism".

Chief executive Allan Bell said the firm had "a series of major contracts" and had recruited more than 50 new apprentices.

"Our products help build homes and hospitals, keep Britain on the move, and are fundamental to the UK manufacturing sector," he said.

"This is why we are we are focused on building a clean, green, and sustainable future for our business, our thousands of employees, and many more people in our supply chains."

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