On 21 October, the Times reported that British Steel has threatened to cut up to 2000 jobs from its workforce. The paper said the move is a key part of the company’s plans to replace its coal-powered blast furnaces with electric arc furnace technology, which produced “greener” steel.

The switch could unlock new funding for Chinese group Jingye, which has owned British Steel since 2020. That includes up to £300m of taxpayer funding, according to the Times report.

‘Green steel’

A spokesman for British Steel said the firm was committed to:

providing long-term, skilled and well-paid careers for thousands of employees and many more in our supply chains.

However, he added that the company was “continuing to assess our options”, and that:

As part of our journey to net zero, it is prudent to evaluate different operational scenarios to help us achieve our ambitious goals

The Times noted that no final decision had been made over the possible job losses.

GMB, one of the three unions representing steelworkers in the UK, told Agence France-Presse it doesn’t accept that:

mass job losses are the way to decarbonise the steel industry.

There are a myriad of options available and a fair, just transition for workers must be at the centre of any plan

Meanwhile, a representative for Unite told BBC Radio Tees that the demand for ‘green steel’ should provide an opportunity for a “brighter future” with up to 8000 jobs.

Jingye itself declined to comment.

read more: https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2023/10/23/british-steel-cut-2000-jobs-claims-climate/