Chorus of disapproval

There has been a chorus of disapproval over the government’s approach to the steel crisis, their linked claims of a ‘northern powerhouse’ and being the party of ‘workers’. What’s the verdict? – warm words from ‘clowns’ who are shutting the door on manufacturing.

Angela Eagle MP, shadow business secretary said, “With each passing day there is a new blow to the industry which is now on its knees, however this government is only prepared to offer warm words.

“Rather than setting up more talking shops the government should be taking action including working with the European Commission and the Chinese government to relieve the pressure on the industry.

“We also need action from the Scottish government,” she added. “When Grangemouth, Fergusons and Prestwick Airport were at risk, the Scottish government stepped in to provide support and to secure jobs. They need to do the same now – anything less will not be acceptable.”

Angela’s pleas were echoed by other MPs. Anna Turley MP said on the closure of SSI Redcar, “I cannot believe the government has allowed 170 years of steelmaking to fade away with no fight, no determination and no understanding of what this means to our area, to people’s livelihoods and to the British economy.

“The government has had so many options on the table to keep the plant alive for the future, but it has turned its back, and shown total contempt for the workforce and the local community.

Heart torn out

“The heart of our local economy has been torn out without a care from the government. I will be calling for an enquiry to look at how this could have happened.

“We now need to explore how they are going to do this hard closure, what the cost is going to be, and to look at how this act of industrial vandalism could have been allowed to happen. The government has shown its true colours, they care nothing for our history and heritage or our future.”

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, agreed. “The UK steel industry is in crisis and the government has been found asleep at the wheel. Global factors are making this a difficult time for the steel industry, but this is a storm that has been brewing for a long time.

“The effects of high energy costs and Chinese dumping have been well known for some time but the government has refused to act, instead choosing to hide behind EU state aid rules.

“If the government’s talk of wanting to rebalance the economy was sincere, they would not have sat on their hands whilst the steel industry plunged into crisis.

“David Cameron and George Osborne are trying to claim the Tories as the ‘workers’ party’ and the ‘party of the builders’, but their transparent branding exercise will have little traction with the communities of Teesside, Scunthorpe and Lanarkshire who are now suffering the consequences of their neglect of the UK steel industry.”

Very distressing times

But it’s not just politicians who are speaking out. Bimlendra Jha, boss of Tata Long Products Europe told the Press Association, “These are very distressing times. It is not just a question of Tata Steel. It’s a question of manufacturing industry in Britain.

“It is a fight very clearly for the future of manufacturing industry in Britain. We have to act in unison to put up a fight together. In the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, I don’t want Britain to be the first country to shut its door on manufacturing.”

Angered by Tory MP James Wharton’s comments that “Teesside is doing well,” Steve Gibson, owner of Middlesbrough Football Club said Wharton would be accountable at the next election and the town would “look to bury him.”

Gibson hit out at the lack of Government action over Redcar and was critical of Wharton. He told the Times, “We have a local MP, James Wharton, who is supposed to be responsible for the northern powerhouse – he’s come across as an absolute clown. A joke.

“And he will become accountable at the next election.”