Tata Steel is expected to axe around 1,000 jobs next week in the UK, according to reports in the British media.
While The Guardian reported that around 1,000 jobs could be lost at Tata Steel’s Scunthorpe steelworks in Scotland, the BBC quoted a higher figure of 1,200, and said that jobs at two smaller Scottish sites could also go. “This is yet another blow to our steel communities, demonstrates the precarious state of the UK steel industry and emphasises the need for government action, which Community and the employers have been calling,” said Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of the Community Union in a statement.
He said that unions would be seeking discussions with the company to get the full details. “We have been talking about the challenges we are facing in the UK for many months, compounded by the strong pound and uncompetitive policy costs,” said a spokesperson for Tata Steel.
“We’ve made a number of structural changes to our UK business to make us more competitive. Like all companies, we continue to review the performance of our business.”