Received from: Community
Congress recognises the strategic importance of our steel industry which is essential to the UK’s national security, economic resilience and sustainment of good jobs in regions that need them most. Workers in steel and their communities have endured years of uncertainty, underinvestment and unfair competition, while too often public money has been wasted on importing steel from abroad rather than strengthening the industry at home. There is an urgent need to improve domestic steel procurement in the energy sector, construction, transport, defence and other major infrastructure projects.
Congress notes the publication of Procurement Policy Note 025, which recognises steel as a critical sector and states that public procurement should be used more strategically to protect national security, strengthen domestic capability and reduce exposure to supply chain shocks. While this policy is a welcome step in the right direction, it will not cover projects delivered by private companies, even when they receive support from the taxpayer.
The government’s own steel strategy highlights that strengthening procurement of domestic steel in state-funded projects that do not fall under the public procurement regime is critical to protecting British jobs in steel.
Congress therefore calls on the TUC to campaign for a stronger steel procurement framework that extends requirements to procure steel strategically to all entities that benefit from public money whether through subsidies, grants, government-backed loans or contracts for difference; and ensures public investment supports domestic jobs, strengthens national security and enhances our economic resilience.
Community