THE SNP have warned that the Tories’ Brexit “obsession” is jeopardising businesses and putting thousands of jobs at risk, following reports that the UK’s second largest steel producer is on the brink of collapse.
British Steel was yesterday facing the prospect of going into administration unless the UK Government accepted its request for a £30 million emergency loan after citing “Brexit-related issues”.
The firm has a workforce of around 5000 people and supports around 20,000 jobs in its supply chain. The impact of a potential collapse could also have a knock-on effect on steel businesses in Scotland.
Leading on an urgent question on British Steel in the Commons, SNP MP Marion Fellows called on the Tory Government to replicate the Scottish Government’s efforts following assistance it provided to steelworks at Dalzell and Clydebridge.
Commenting, Fellows said: “The reports surrounding the future of British Steel are deeply concerning and it is vital that the Tory Government urgently steps in to provide the emergency financial support being requested by the firm. Thousands of jobs are on the line, the Tory Government cannot sit idly by.
“With British Steel citing Brexit-related issues, it is clear that the Tories’ obsession with Brexit and failure to get on with the day job is actively jeopardising jobs and businesses.
“In stark contrast to the chaos consuming the Tories, when Scotland’s steel plants faced closure the SNP Scottish Government took decisive action to secure a new owner, and the steelworks at Dalzell and Clydebridge have reopened.
“The SNP Government has already proven its commitment to steel after successfully securing its future in Scotland, and now we need to see action from the UK Government to show that it cares about this vital industry.
“Rather than standing up for Scotland’s interests – or the interests of industries across the UK – it’s clear the Tories are only interested in infighting and petty leadership battles.”
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