Recommendation 8

Trade union representatives were optimistic about the future of British Steel, and had already put forward several suggestions to ensure the site has a viable future, including adopting new technology and establishing a new plate mill.20 Trade unions and the local Council agreed a managed transition plan was needed to ensure the blast furnaces were kept on during conversion to electric arc furnaces.21 Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said any transition must protect jobs and communities,22 and Councillor Rob Waltham said investment would prevent future spending on generations of local families who would be impacted if the site closed.23 Written evidence from Dr McLacklan and Professor MacKenzie cited the long-lasting negative impact of job losses in the steel sector and the submission from University College London recommended that any future private ownership is carefully overseen by the government.24 14 Qq 78-81 15 GBS005, GBS0003 16 Qq 56, 57 17 C&AG’s Report, para 3.11 18 Q 75 19 Q 34 20 Qq 18, 21, 22, 33 21 Q 33 22 Q 22 23 Q 25 24 GBS0004, GBS0005 10 The total cost of the intervention