STATELY HOME WINS AWARD - PAGE 05
Running p. 14 & 15
Free
STEELS TRIO SCOOP ACCOLADES - PAGE 16
Discover North Sheffield
THURS 19 JUNE 2025 www.looklocal.org.uk news@looklocal.org.uk Tel: 0114 283 11 00
@looklocalnewspapersheffield
FACEBOOK.COM/LOOKLOCAL
ISSUE : 1379
Business Secretary praises Stocksbridge Steelworkers Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, raised the incredible capability of Stocksbridge Speciality in Steels in Parliament - highlighting that at its peak, the plant produced 15% of global defence and aerospace steel.
toring the specific situation there, which colleagues will be aware of, very closely, and are determined to work to find the right outcome which she and I would want to see.”
In response to Marie’s question in the House of Commons about what work the Business Secretary is doing to secure this steel asset, essential to maintaining our national security, he confirmed that Stocksbridge Speciality Steels “workers and mills are a national asset”.
The Labour Government have committed £2.5 billion to secure the UK steel industry, and are publishing their Steel Strategy soon, including a commitment to “Buy British”. The Government have also recently secured three international trade deals to slash tariffs on key industries on South Yorkshire, including steel, to protect our domestic industry.
Her championing of the Stocksbridge site came after the Spending Review last week, in which the Labour Government committed to making the UK a “defence industrial superpower”.
Last month, a court hearing to decide on a winding up order against Speciality Steel UK was adjourned until mid-July to “finalise options,” including a potential sale of the business.
In response to Dr Tidball’s question, the Business Secretary told Parliament, “As I believe the workers and that mill are a national asset, I want to see them have a strong future as part of our overall Steel Strategy. We’re moni-
The action was brought by Harsco Metals Group over unpaid debts. Speciality Steel last filed accounts in 2019.
Excellent
Following the exchange, Marie Tidball, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “I was very pleased to hear the Business Secretary recognise Stocksbridge Speciality Steels’ workers and mills as a national asset, and that the Government, as I do, are determined to see our site have a strong future. “I am working closely with the Government, as well as Community Union, and encouraging all sides to come to the table and look at all options to secure the future of Stocksbridge Speciality Steels site. I know the capability of our site, the extraordinary ability of our workforce and the exceptional quality steel produced in Stocksbridge, which should be harnessed to fulfil the government’s national defence commitment.
Rated “Excellent”
“Our steelworks has been the beating heart of our community for nearly 200 years, and I will continue to fight to protect our site, our jobs, and the strategic capability our site can offer.”
BRITISH STEEL NETWORK RAIL DEAL 'CRUCIAL FIRST STEP' - GMB GMB Union has responded to the £500 million deal between British Steel and Network Rail, announced this week. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Officer, said: "When British Steel was in crisis a few months ago, one of GMB's key asks to the Chancellor was to ensure Britain's railways were built with domestic steel. "This is a crucial first step in securing the future of our steel industry. "Ministers must now ensure other infrastructure projects follow suit to make sure British Steel has a constant flow of orders." While British Steel has long supplied the track used for Britain's railways with Scunthorpe producing rail since 1865, the latest deal provides guaranteed work for the plant for at least the next five years.