A blueprint for the future of Scunthorpe steelworks has been revealed by a union.
Community has proposed a plan that it believes can secure the operation of two existing blast furnaces at the British Steel site in Scunthorpe, while two new electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are built.
The union stated that this strategy would facilitate a transition towards more environmentally friendly steel production, but would necessitate an additional £200m in Government support to offset carbon costs during the interim period.
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Community's general secretary, Roy Rickhuss, said: "The new plan from our experts at Syndex lays out the roadmap towards a just transition for British Steel in Scunthorpe, which is a site of huge strategic importance to the 海角视频 as our last remaining primary steelmaking site."
He added: "Were Scunthorpe steelworks to close, the 海角视频 would become the only G7 country without domestic steelmaking capacity - that would represent a huge risk to national security and sovereignty, with the country becoming reliant on dirty imports from overseas. That is not something we should ever be willing to accept.
"The new expert-led proposal for British Steel has the support of all the steel unions and offers an achievable and potentially profitable solution for decarbonising Scunthorpe, provided that there is an injection of support on carbon costs over the transition period.
"By maintaining blast furnace production whilst new technologies are introduced on-site, the new plan for Scunthorpe would avoid the need for a destructive cliff-edge for the workforce."
A spokesperson for British Steel stated: "British Steel is in active discussions with the 海角视频 government about the future of our steelmaking operations. Our trade union partners will be an important part of that future, and we welcome their contribution to the debate in the Syndex report."
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Meanwhile, Tata, a major player in the steel industry, has ceased operations at its blast furnaces in Port Talbot, South Wales, and is transitioning to steel production via an electric arc furnace. A representative from the Department for Business and Trade asserted: "This Government will not allow the end of steelmaking in the 海角视频.
"That's why we've committed up to £2.5bn of investment to rebuild the industry and our plan for steel consultation, launched last week, will examine the long-term issues facing the industry. The Business Secretary and Industry Minister met British Steel and Jingye recently, and we continue to work in partnership with trade unions and businesses to secure a green steel transition that's right for the workforce, represents a good investment for taxpayers, and safeguards the future of the steel industry in Britain."