Industry leaders and trade unions gathered today at the British Steel site in Scunthorpe for a session of the newly restructured Steel Council, where the Minister for Reindustrialisation, Blair McDougall, articulated his vision for a flourishing steelmaking sector in Britain.
This meeting comes two months after the Government’s decisive intervention to bring British Steel into public ownership, thereby securing the UK’s steelmaking capabilities. Minister McDougall toured the Scunthorpe facility, engaging with both workers and the leadership team before presiding over the Steel Council meeting.
Strengthening the Future of Steelmaking
The discussions centred on the implementation of the Steel Strategy and the subsequent actions required to enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and long-term viability of UK steel production. Key initiatives discussed included the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aimed at facilitating industry decarbonisation, as well as the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) designed to address electricity costs. There was also emphasis on utilising the UK’s advanced research and innovation capabilities, along with optimising the use of scrap steel.
Post-meeting, Minister McDougall expressed his commitment to the steel sector, stating, “I want steelmaking to thrive in Britain. Steel is fundamental to our industrial future, supporting thousands of skilled jobs and supplying the materials we need to grow the industries that will drive our economy in the years ahead.” He further underscored the Government’s backing through the Steel Strategy, aiming to unite industry stakeholders, workers, and the government in achieving a robust future for UK steelmaking.
New Leadership and Collaborative Efforts
Roy Rickhuss, who will soon depart from his role as General Secretary of Community Union, has been appointed as the Steel Council’s Co-chair, working alongside Minister McDougall. Rachel Eade, Chair of the UK Metals Council, participated in the Steel Council for the first time, highlighting the crucial role of the broader supply chain in the future of the steel industry.
This meeting marked the first gathering of the Steel Council since the Government announced its intentions to work towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK. It follows earlier initiatives this year to protect essential steelmaking capabilities, safeguard skilled employment, and support the sector’s long-term prospects.
Acknowledging the Role of Steel in the Economy
Roy Rickhuss CBE, the newly appointed Co-chair, expressed his honour at the appointment, stating, “For generations, the steel industry has been the backbone of communities across the UK, creating highly skilled jobs and driving economic growth. After years of neglect under previous governments, we now have a government that understands the role steel plays in strengthening our economy, our communities, and our national security.”
Rickhuss highlighted the importance of the Steel Council in reflecting this understanding and expressed his eagerness to work collaboratively with government, industry stakeholders, and representatives across the sector to facilitate the industry’s transition to greener manufacturing. He emphasised the necessity of protecting jobs, securing investment, and ensuring the full implementation of the government’s steel strategy, asserting that after years of stagnation and job losses, the steel industry deserves a promising future.
Composition of the Steel Council
The Steel Council comprises a diverse range of stakeholders, including representation from various government bodies and steel industry leaders. Among the members are:
- Chair: Blair McDougall, Minister for Reindustrialisation
- Co-chair: Roy Rickhuss CBE, Industry Expert
- Scottish Government: Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Business and Fair Work
- Welsh Government: Adam Price MS, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Northern Ireland Executive: Dr. Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy
- British Steel: Allan Bell, Interim CEO
- 7 Steel UK: Carles Rovira, CEO
- Liberty Steel UK: Jeff Kabel, Chief Transformation Officer
- Marcegaglia UK: Liam Bates, Managing Director and President of Long Products/Stainless
- Sheffield Forgemasters: Gary Nutter, CEO
- Tata Steel UK: Rajesh Nair, CEO
- Speciality Steel UK: Greg Clarke, COO
- UK Steel: Gareth Stace, Director General
- British Metals Recycling Association: James Kelly, CEO
- UK Metals Council: Rachel Eade MBE, Chair
- Materials Processing Institute: David Pummell, Interim CEO
- Warwick Manufacturing Group High Value Manufacturing Catapult: David Greenwood, CEO
- Community Union: Paul McKenna, National Secretary for Steel and Light Industries
- GMB Union: Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, National Officer – Manufacturing
- Unite the Union: Peter Hughes, National Officer – Wales
Roy Rickhuss’s extensive experience in the steel sector, recognised by his CBE award in 2019, ensures that the voices of workers are central to government plans aimed at rejuvenating the UK steel industry. The inclusion of a representative from the UK Metals Council marks a significant step towards integrating the broader metals and manufacturing sectors into the future of steelmaking.
Progress and Future Developments
During the meeting, members reviewed the advancements made since the Steel Strategy was published, including governmental initiatives to lower industrial electricity costs, reinforce trade and procurement regulations, and protect strategically vital steelmaking capabilities. Recently, Alan Lovell has been appointed as Chair of British Steel, accompanied by a new Board intended to stabilise the business. The company has also onboarded 70 new graduates and apprentices this month, representing a commitment to cultivating future talent in the industry.
The Steel Council was re-established in January 2025 to provide strategic guidance to the government from steel producers, trade unions, industry bodies, and devolved administrations. A summary of the Steel Council meeting will be available on the government’s official website in due course.
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