Foreign Steel Chosen For New UK Submarines

In what has been described as a scandal by steelworkers union Community, foreign steel imports have been chosen for the construction of new Trident nuclear missile submarines in the UK, over British steel.

An investigation by the Daily Mirror has found that a French company, Industeel, has been selected over British companies to provide the material for the hulls of four Successor boats, a deal that is reportedly worth tens of millions of pounds. If the work had remained in the UK, some 1,000 jobs could have been protected.

General secretary of Community Roy Rickhuss said: “This government have said time and time again that big infrastructure projects should make the most of British steel, yet here we have the defence secretary boasting about cutting steel that was made abroad. It’s a slap in the face to hard pressed British steelworkers.”

The paper revealed that two firms from the UK had planned to collaborate on a joint bid to supply the steel needed for the hulls, but obstacles were met in the initial discussions and the plans were later abandoned.

Also commenting on the news, Clive Lewis – shadow defence secretary – said that the Conservatives’ eagerness to cut costs has meant that British steel is now not even being used to build the country’s own ships and vehicles.

Mr Rickhuss added that this latest development in the woeful tale of British steel these days should be a wakeup call for the prime minister that the industry needs a government that chooses to get involved, making sure the UK has the technology and skills in place to meet future challenges and demands.

Looking for fabric reinforcement? Visit us at Foregale today.