Gov should also be looking at options to extend downstream processing capacity (eg to make plate and electrical steels) as this is where much of the value and long term jobs will be. A workforce transition plan, agreed with staff is essential (5/5)

Far from making 2nd rate steel, UK EAFs feed manufacture of aeroplane landing gear, nuclear reactors & naval submarines. C80% of UK’s current steel demand can be met with recycled steel. A new fleet of EAFs can be fed with mix of scrap and iron with BFs maintained over transition 4/5

The US steel industry is already focused around recycling steel in EAFs & European countries are looking to this kind of future too, backed up by some big investments in clean iron making. Global steel buyers are looking for cleaner steel. 3/5

Retaining the blast furnaces won’t make us more secure. The UK produces more scrap than it does steel so in long term it makes sense to use this resource rather than export it and then import vast quantities of coking coal and iron ore from around the world to make primary steel 2/5