UNITE : New film warns ‘clock is ticking’ on crisis hit steel industry

A new animated film warning that the clock is ticking on the UK's crisis hit steel industry has been launched by Britain's largest union, Unite.

Urging the UK government to turn words into action and 'Save our Steel', the short film highlights a world without steel and the devastating impact job cuts at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe and South Yorkshire could have on regional economies and the supply chain.

The animated film comes as steel workers battle for the industry's survival amid the dumping of cheap Chinese steel and government inaction which resulted in the closure of the steelworks in Redcar and the loss of thousands of steel jobs in recent months.

Calling on ministers to do more to support the steel industry, the Unite film presses the government to follow the lead of nations such as the USA and Germany by actively supporting steel through procurement and by stopping the dumping of cheap imports.

The film also urges viewers to back the Save our Steel campaign by signing the Mirror's petition.

Commenting, Unite national officer Harish Patel said: 'The government risks being all talk and no action and needs to do more to support the UK's steel industry. The clock is ticking with thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the supply chain hanging in the balance.

'UK steelworkers make some of the best steel in the world which plays a part in our everyday lives. Steel is vital to the UK's regional and national economies and our future as a manufacturing nation. Without steel any hope of rebalancing the economy and building prosperous communities will turn to dust.

'Government ministers need to turn guidance on the procurement of British steel for infrastructure projects into orders and give cast iron guarantees that if it's built for Britain it uses British steel.

'They also need to speed up action by the European Union to tackle the dumping of cheap Chinese steel which risks being too little too late. As our films shows a failure to act will result in the loss of a world class industry.'

ENDS

For further information please contact Unite head of media and campaigns Alex Flynn on 020 3371 2066 or 07967 665869.

Notes to editors:

• Unite is Britain and Ireland's largest trade union with over 1.4 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.