Tata Steel UK has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a strengthened trade framework alongside the publication of the Steel Strategy, describing it as a significant step towards improving the competitiveness of the UK steel sector.

Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel and Chair of UK Steel said: "The new trade framework announced today is extremely welcome. This decisive step by ministers will stop the UK being a dumping ground for cheap imports, protecting jobs and building resilience in domestic steel production.
"We also welcome the publication of the Steel Strategy, which will help address some of the major structural challenges facing the sector and set us up for future success.’

"This decisive step will stop the UK being a dumping ground for cheap imports, protecting jobs and building resilience in domestic steel production." Rajesh Nair

In a message to employees, Rajesh said: "This is a very significant move forward for us and has resulted from a great deal of effort from many people within our business, from our trade body UK Steel, and from the Department of Business & Trade.
"Of course, with such policy announcements, the devil is in the detail, so over the coming days and weeks we’ll be working hard to understand the direct implications for us and our supply chains."

Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, said: “I warmly welcome the UK Government’s announcement of its steel strategy and trade measures, and I look forward to working with them over the coming years to further improve the sustainability of the steel industry in the UK, which underpins the whole manufacturing sector and communities across the country.

“As we continue to invest in our UK business, such measures will help to create a fair trading environment in which we can succeed as we transition towards low-carbon steelmaking.”

“As we continue to invest in our UK business, such measures will help to create a fair trading environment in which we can succeed as we transition towards low-carbon steelmaking.” TV Narendran

Steel trade body UK Steel and Community Union have issued a joint press release commenting on the range of measures and proposals put forward by the UK Government.

In it, Gareth Stace, Director General UK Steel, said: "“We welcome the Government’s Steel Strategy as a vital step towards securing a competitive, resilient future for one of the UK’s most strategically important industries. This is a significant moment, and Government ministers deserve recognition for their leadership today."

And Community Union General Secretary, Roy Rickhuss, said: "The trade measures outlined in this Strategy represent a bold and significant step forward, strengthening our domestic industry and helping to ensure that local economies continue to benefit from a secure, resilient steel sector and the employment it provides."