Rob Waltham, Conservative mayoral candidate for Greater Lincolnshire, has condemned the devastating news of British Steel’s consultation on the potential closure of its blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.
Thousands of jobs are at risk as the future of the town’s industrial heritage is under threat with thousands of hard working families fearful for the future.
He said: “Many families will be rightly fearful for the future - it is an unforgivable blow to the hardworking people of Scunthorpe and their families.
"Their livelihoods are now on a knife edge, and the fear and uncertainty this has caused is nothing short of devastating. Years of progress, dedication, and hard-fought efforts to secure the future of our steelworks have been thrown into jeopardy."
Rob has been working with the owners of British Steel and the Government for the last few years on creating a new future for steelmaking in his role as leader of North Lincolnshire Council. He led a delegation to China last year to develop new partnerships and attract further investment.
He added: “Labour has shown time and again that they simply do not understand the realities faced by industrial communities like ours. Instead of backing British steel and providing the support our workforce needs, they’ve overseen stagnation and allowed crucial opportunities to slip through our fingers.
"They talk a good game about supporting industry, but when it really matters, they fail to deliver.”
Rob reaffirmed his commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with the steelworkers of Scunthorpe, pledging to fight for their jobs and the town’s industrial future.
“As your Mayor, I will ensure Greater Lincolnshire’s destiny is in our own hands. We cannot rely on the failures of Labour in Westminster. Through ambitious local leadership, we will build a resilient and prosperous economy that works for everyone. From attracting investment into our industrial sectors to supporting workers with reskilling opportunities, we will take the decisive action that Labour refuses to.
“We’ll push for innovation in clean steel production, invest in sustainable technologies, and back our world-class workforce to lead the way. Scunthorpe can remain the beating heart of British industry, and under my leadership, it will.
“This is why having a strong voice for Lincolnshire matters. We will not be dictated to by those who don’t understand our industries or our communities. By electing a Mayor who will fight for our steelworkers and our future, we can stand strong against the failures of Labour and build a brighter tomorrow for all.”
