Steel industry in the United Kingdom

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The steel industry in the United Kingdom is a major sector of the British economy. In 2023, the United Kingdom was the world's 26th largest producer of crude steel and Europe's 8th largest. [1] It produced 5.6 million tonnes of crude steel, equivalent to 0.3% of global output. [2]

Contents

History

The steel industry employed 350,000 people when it was nationalised by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1967. [3]

In the 2020s, the steel industry faced crisis. Thousands of job losses at Port Talbot Steelworks lead to Plaid Cymru calling for nationalisation. [4] The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 was passed to secure British Steel company at Scunthorpe Steelworks. [5]

Environmental impact

The steel industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom. It is responsible for 2.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions and 13.4% of greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing. [6] Environmental concerns have been cited as an issue for the industry. [7]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "World Steel in Figures 2024". World Steel Association . 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Jozepa 2024, p. 6.
  3. ↑ "The rise and fall of Britain's steel industry". BBC News. 2016-05-21. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  4. ↑ "Port Talbot: How steel town is grappling with 'life-changing' loss of more than 2,000 jobs". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  5. ↑ "British Steel employees express fears over future of Scunthorpe plant". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  6. ↑ Jozepa 2024, p. 7.
  7. ↑ "Why the British steel industry is on the brink of extinction - or a green resurrection". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-04-14.

Bibliography

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