Corby petitions government to give more support to the steel sector

Martin Heath - BBC News, Northamptonshire
Sparks flying from machinery in a factory. A man in a hard hat is watching
About 500 people still work in the steel industry in Corby [BBC]

A petition signed by 30,000 people that calls for more support for the steel industry will be delivered to politicians in a place known as "steel town".

The document will be handed over on Friday at a football ground in Corby, Northamptonshire.

The steel industry once employed thousands of workers in the town, but the figure now is about 500.

The Department of Trade and Industry has been contacted for comment.

The Unite union said the petition was part of a campaign to secure the sector's future.

The petition urges the government to ensure UK steel is used for UK projects.

Sharon Graham at a union conference
Sharon Graham of Unite said the government's lack of support is putting the industry at risk [BBC]

Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: "The UK government's lack of support or any long-term plan for steel is putting a sector, which can and should have a bright future, at risk.

"In Germany, France and the Netherlands capacity is being retained and jobs protected as the sector transitions to green steel. That can happen here too."

Ms Graham added that the demand for steel was "expected to increase ten-fold over the coming years", and that the UK was "perfectly placed to become a global leader in its production, if the right choices are made".

The iron and steel works in Corby shortly before its closure in 1980
The iron and steelworks sector was a major employer in Corby before its closure in 1980 [PA]

Corby was devastated by the closure of most of its steelworks in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to an unemployment rate of 30%.

Gary Buchan, the Unite Corby branch secretary for Tata Steel, said: "There is still a proud connection to steel within our local community, and we should not underestimate its ongoing importance, providing good job opportunities for the town's youngsters and the wider area.

"The challenges that Corby and the wider steel industry face today are not too dissimilar to what happened here in Corby 44 years ago, but I am sure the people of the town will be steadfast in the fight."

The Steel Park football stadium with stands around the edge of the pitch
The petition will be handed over at Steel Park, the Corby Town FC ground [corbytownfc.co.uk]

The petition will be delivered to politicians at the Corby Town FC ground, Steel Park.

The steel industry is also due to be discussed in a meeting on Thursday of the Conservative-controlled North Northamptonshire Council.

Corby Cube - modern steel and glass building with statue of steel worker in the foreground
The steel industry will be debated by North Northamptonshire Council on Thursday [BBC]

The Labour councillors John McGhee and Matt Keane have said they will propose a motion calling for the Conservative council leader, Jason Smithers, to urge the government to double steel production and ensure public works projects use UK steel.

The motion also calls for £12bn of public investment in the industry.

The Department of Trade and Industry has been contacted for comment.

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