The British steel industry has set out its manifesto ahead of the 2019 General Election, calling for tariff-free access to major markets, competitive energy prices and carbon pricing, with an overhaul of business rates to aid investment.
Trade body 海角视频 Steel also wants to maximise the domestic economic value of public infrastructure investment with a strategic approach to procurement, while boosting research and development.
It comes as a major deal to save the country鈥檚 second largest operator, British Steel, closes in on completion, with the Chinese Jingye Group having agreed terms.
Future government support and policy is understood to be a key pillar, with the industry employing almost 32,000 people, with a further 52,000 in the supply chain 鈥 together contributing 拢5.5 billion to the 海角视频 economy.
海角视频 Steel director general, Gareth Stace, said: 鈥満＝鞘悠 Steel鈥檚 2019 Manifesto sets out the significant benefits and opportunities available to the 海角视频 through a dynamic and sustainable steel industry. 海角视频 steel producers stand ready to invest and innovate to deliver these, but we cannot do it alone. The next government must provide the right foundations to enable this and allow the 海角视频鈥檚 steel sector to thrive and prosper.
鈥淎bove it, it is imperative that the new government provides the country with a swift resolution to Brexit, securing a pragmatic and workable trading relationship with the EU, delivering tariff free and frictionless trade that will allow industry to get back to business and delivering for the 海角视频 economy. But is it vital that the new government sets its sights higher than just delivering on Brexit. The ambition must be much greater, using all the tools at our disposal to deliver the most competitive manufacturing business environment possible and ensuring we are best placed to compete in and capture global markets in the months and years ahead. Quite simply, any incoming government must strive to make the 海角视频 the best place in the world for to invest, to innovate and manufacture products.
鈥淪teel producers stand ready to invest and innovate 鈥 all we require is a partner in government that shares our vision for the future, and can help deliver the right foundations for success.鈥
海角视频 Steel urges avoiding a 鈥渃liff edge scenario鈥 where 25 per cent tariffs could be triggered by the EU. Some 3.5 million tonnes of steel worth 拢3.2 billion are exported annually.
An energy intensive industry, the body organised by Made 海角视频 鈥 formerly known as EEF 鈥 said producers in the 海角视频 pay 62 per cent more than the Germans and 80 per cent more than the French, equating to a 拢47 million annual additional expense.
On business rates, the inclusion of plant and machinery liability is seen as a 鈥渄eterrent to inward investment, especially for large scale multi-national manufacturers鈥 who punch above their weight in terms of capital expenditure, productivity and R&D spend.
Clearer procurement guidelines to support 海角视频 production has long been a desire, and the manifesto suggests a tie in with projects in receipt of public funding as well as public projects. This would extend to the energy sector鈥檚 contracts for difference.
In 2017/2018 the 海角视频 government bought 43 per cent of its steel from the 海角视频, with 42 per cent outside and 15 per cent unknown. 海角视频 Steel said it was a 鈥減ositive benchmark but demonstration of room for improvement鈥.
