Even when UK produces right type of steel, projects often do not use as much as they could, data shows
With the UK’s third largest steel producer close to collapse, Boris Johnson has told parliament it would be “crazy” for the government not to use its newfound Brexit flexibility to buy British. It has been almost two years since the steel industry, together with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, set out a charter to bolster the use of UK steel. The charter claims UK producers could supply the energy industry, rail upgrades and construction with steel worth up to £3.8bn a year by 2030.
For some major infrastructure projects UK steel producers are not able to make the particular type of material required. But government data shows even when the product is made in Britain, projects often do not use as much domestic steel as they could.