The government is misleading steel workers. The 2 blast furnaces they saved from closure are costing taxpayers £1.3 m a day, an unacceptable rate of loss. The government’s net zero plans require shutting the blast furnaces and replacing with electric arc steel recycling. This intervention looks like a costly delay in closure, not a new policy to renovate and support these older blast furnaces for years to come.Far from saving the jobs, they have misled the workers.
The new part of the policy announced yesterday is tariffs and quotas on imports. The government that condemned Trump’s tariffs is now in full swing to protectionism. They do not spare a thought for the UK’s steel using industries that now face dearer steel, nor for end customers buying cars or construction projects who face yet another government directed increase in the cost of living.
Meanwhile they pile extra taxes on our energy and on CO 2 generating businesses like steel. Taxpayers will be expected to pay billions in losses, have to give the Chinese owners compensation for their bankrupt business and end up paying large redundancy bills when they fire the steelworkers they promised to support.
March 20, 2026
The government is misleading steel workers. The 2 blast furnaces they saved from closure are costing taxpayers £1.3 m a day, an unacceptable rate of loss.
I live in Scunthorpe and have a close relationship with the steel industry in working on it then after being made redundant in the 70s from the Redbourn steelwork to working for industry supporting and servicing the remaining works, we have the best virgin steel in the world but not for long because there building a electric arc furnace so they’ll do away with the blast furnaces not that’s what Dakin our mp said yesterday but to follow the liebour mantra of avoiding a answer to a very simple questions a kid of 6 could have answered
March 20, 2026
As the steelwork are stranded assets surely there’s no compensation to pay. Just call in the Receivers and be done.
I note you don’t mention all these government contracts Importing steel from China which could be supplied domestically.
Is it the Jackdaw field that is weeks from production with a production barge en route but awaiting the sign off by the destroyer in chief Milibrain.
Net stupid rules as we gradually slip under water.
March 20, 2026
Good morning.
I confess to not be following this. But for decades now there distinctly seems to be a lack of central policy and / or planning regarding British industry. Everything has been in and around combating a trace gas of which, even in our industrial heyday, we were not producing that much. Our air since the, Clean Air Act 1956 has never been better. All we are doing is exporting our industries, jobs and profits overseas. The big puzzle to me is, whilst everyone here and in the wider world can see and name such, those in government seem oblivious.
They can’t all be stupid and / or corrupt ?
March 20, 2026
There is an article by Paul Homewood in todays Conservative Women detailing how much subsidy is paid to wind farm operators. These are indexed linked prices agreed during the Coalition government when the Limp dumbs were incharge of energy policy. Then we wonder why UK businesses cannot compete.
March 20, 2026
This is another piece where government policy is described but readers know there will be no voluntary changes to the policy.
There will probably be no famous U-turns either.
Mr. Miliband seems immune from criticism in the media. Very different from his bacon sandwich/Ed stone days.
There may be a change of Prime Minister soon if Angela Rayner’s recent statements are anything to go by.
March 20, 2026
Until the government announces a “reindustrialisation policy” the cost of deindustrialisation will continue to grow.
The ongoing penalty burden/costs of Net Zero will ensure the policy of expensive managed state funded decline is on the agenda.
The bizarre position Net Zero has taken us to is paying the worlds largest steel manufacturer i.e. China,
£billions to shut down our last strategic primary steel production facility that has become untenable due to government energy policy.
This latest state £500 million/year intervention almost makes Chagos derived funding to Mauritius of £350 million/year seem cheap…..
March 20, 2026
Once again today, wind is absent from parade. We are Importing 15% of our electricity at £145 per mwh and gas and nuclear are providing 50%.
Milibrains answer, increase wind and solar. You couldn’t make it up.
March 20, 2026
Indeed – Miliband, Net Zero and this appalling Government are totally deranged – economic, energy and defence suicide on this and in every direction. Now clearly heading for EU dynamic alignment so as to be virtually back in.
The more one listens to the dire BBC and the lefty Trump hating politicians the more I get the impression that do they actually want the war on Iran to fail and end up in total chaos due to their total hatred of Trump derangement condition. This however much it harms US and the world. I remain rather optimistic but it is a large task still.