Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has refused to rule out redundancies at Scunthorpe steelworks, despite trade union calls for an end to job loss plans. Reynolds visited the plant on Tuesday and promised to save its two blast furnaces by exploring new technology and facilities.
Reynolds said a “different employment footprint” may be needed for the plant’s future, but emphasized the need for long-term security for employees. He acknowledged that the government must work with private sector partners to support the industry’s transformation.
The GMB union has called for an end to the formal redundancy program, which could have led to thousands of job losses. Reynolds is tasked with securing immediate supplies and finding a new bidder for the site. The government aims to secure Chinese investment in British infrastructure, but this move has sparked concerns among Labour officials.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/15