Tata sell-off audit call

Job security and the future of the pension scheme are key priorities for Unite following today’s (November 28) announcement that Tata Steel UK is to sell its speciality steel business to Liberty House Group.

Unite national officer for metals Harish Patel said that ‘the devil will be in the detail’ as Tata Steel UK said that it had signed a letter of intent to sell its speciality steel interests.

“Today’s announcement is welcome as we can at last see some movement towards certainty for our members – our key concerns are job security for the workforce; the future of the British Steel pension scheme; and what the investment plans will be from the Liberty House Group going forward,” Patel explained.

“Of course, the devil is very much in the detail which is why we will be asking Tata Steel to ensure that we can conduct independent due diligence on its proposals.

“As a matter of urgency, we must see security for the pension scheme to which men and women have dutifully contributed all their working lives.

“Our hardworking members, their families and their local communities have lived with a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over them for more than a year,” he added.

“Despite these difficulties our members have continued to work hard and to deliver what has been asked of them by Tata Steel.

“For months the joint steel unions have been in discussions with the company and government at the highest levels to secure a sustainable future for all the UK businesses.

“The future of a strong and vibrant UK steel industry should be the cornerstone of the government’s much-heralded industrial strategy.”