Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister, has backed the ‘historic and decisive action’ taken on British Steel that has protected jobs around the UK.

The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act was passed in one day on Saturday, April 12, to allow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to direct the board and staff of British Steel.

The law hands Reynolds powers to control management and workers at the plant to ensure production continues and if necessary entering it by force.

In protecting the blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant the government has also protected jobs in West Cumbria as MacAlister explained.

“I was proud to back the historic and decisive action taken today by the Government to secure the future of Britain’s steel industry – and it will protect jobs right here in West Cumbria.

“As essential as our ability to keep making steel in Britain is maintaining our ability to make and maintain the equipment that makes steel in Britain.

“Chapel Bank in Workington is the only place in the UK that makes and maintains steel making equipment. It was set up by British Steel in the 1950s to do so.

“150 jobs at Chapel Bank would be at risk if British Steel went under. The action taken by this government today will help to protect those jobs.

“And we could create even more jobs here in Workington if we ensure the next generation of steel making equipment is also made here in Britain.”

The Whitehaven and Workington MP managed to get some time with the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds after the vote to discuss Chapel Bank and has said he “will be having further conversations in the months to come.”