Labour MPs have sparked fury over supporting a decision to relocate a furnace (Image: Getty)
Labour MPs in Teesside sensationally celebrated the decision to strap plans to build a “green steel” furnace there.
Two new furnaces are set to be built in Scunthorpe, following talks between British Steel’s Chinese owners and Labour ministers.
These would replace British Steel’s blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.
Under £1.25bn ambitions to decarbonise, British Steel sought planning permission for an EAF each in Teesside and at Scunthorpe.
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Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, right, has slammed the decision (Image: Getty)
But the company is said to have abandoned plans to restore steelmaking to Teesside. And Scunthorpe’s MP Sir Nic Dakin has told the he is “hopeful” the town will get both electric arc furnaces.
And the six local Labour MPs wrote of the decision: “Labour is committed to making Teesside central to the UK’s industrial future, with major investments like Net Zero Teesside, CCUS and hydrogen projects already placing our area at the forefront of the transition to a green economy.
“We understand the government’s determination to secure steel jobs in Scunthorpe through the EAFs. However, this is only the first step in a long-term plan to rebuild the UK’s steelmaking capacity.”
But Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen branded it a “profound mistake with long-term consequences for our economy, local jobs and indeed our national security.”
He added that Scunthorpe has “significant challenges” with “grid constraints and extensive remediation needed”.
British Steel, which is owned by the Chinese firm Jingye, said it was in “ongoing discussions” with the government and “no final decisions have been made”.
British Steel was granted planning permission to build furnaces at Scunthorpe and at Lackenby, Teesside, last April.