Industry chiefs have urged the use of British steel for infrastructure work.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak plans to spend an extra £27billion on projects next year, and billions more in coming years on roads, railways and power stations.
Huge volumes of raw materials will be needed and steel bosses want the Government to prioritise procuring metal from the UK, to create and sustain jobs and help repair the damage that Covid has wreaked.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak plans to spend an extra £27bn on projects next year, and billions more in coming years on roads, railways and power stations
UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said: ‘The huge levels of promised spending must now deliver the largest possible return fortaxpayers’ money by maximising the UK content of these major projects.’
It comes a week after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a green strategy to build eco-friendly homes, wind turbines and nuclear power plants.
Both plans could reinvigorate ‘foundation’ industries that produce the raw materials.
UK steel has struggled over the past few years and some firms, such as British Steel, have collapsed.
The UK makes 7.3m tonnes of steel a year. Around 32,600 people work in the sector.
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