The Guardian view on taking back control of steel: back in state hands, but far from sorted | Editorial

IIn 1976, night steel workers in Timbburo-and then the world’s largest electrical factory-destroyed a record in production. A letter from Prime Minister Jim Callen waited for them, and they conveyed a victory for the state -owned plant and Britain. He may return to the future after Sir Care Stunhorpe worked this week, to celebrate his government Control From the British steel from its Chinese owners.

The United Kingdom has fallen – or dragged – to industrial policy. After decades of manual decline, the closure that is waving on the horizon in the last ovens in Britain forced the hand of the Minister of Business. nationalizationThe post -war word returns to the table. And then.

British policy makers wake up to the fact that strategic sovereignty is not a strange idea in 1945 – it is the key to energy transmission, safe supply chains and the working economy. Steel revolves around political memory and local identity and who gets a future. This question has always been answered unevenly – and the steel areas are where the consequences are landed. Chris McDonald, Labor Representative of Stockon North and former CEO of the UK Steel Innovation Center, He said MPS Global Steel is not a free market – it is formed by the power of the state. France supports its purchases. Germany supports energy. China hand over money. The United States prevents foreign competitors. The UK’s mistake was to use external sources of industrial policy to the market.

Steel industry accounts About 8 % One of the global greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce this, the transition to electrical steel factories that produce about 80 % of carbon compared to the son -in -law is required. But this is the most green form of steel production depends on two main inputs: recycled scrap for most applications and DRI (direct low iron) – iron with minimal impurities – for space or medical uses. Pharmaceutical steel may look a specialized place – until the knee is replaced. Surgery Severe purity request, zero toxicity and overall corrosion resistance.

If the UK wants low carbon steel, it needs a virgin iron plan. But this means building DRI plants, green supply chains and long-term access to high-end iron ore-Britain is not currently producing. It is a rude awakening of a country betting on the market. the SwedesAs it happens, this bet was not made. They built an ecosystem for state-owned mining, marriage, and Zeel-owned companies, and they delivered the fossil-free steel to Volvo in 2021-with subsidies, strategy and common purpose. Germany and Austria Follow follow. Meanwhile, parliament in the United Kingdom only decided that it is acceptable to intervene.

Scunthorpe acquires what should have been clear: steel is one of the national assets, not just a market failure. But the road map is missing. Green DRI plants are the next possible step, nourishing electric arc furnaces. But this oblique steel employment 80 %. The real challenge? Workers turn quickly enough for green jobs before old jobs disappear. The next government Steel strategy You should do more than tampering. The future must be made. Less than 10 % of Global iron ore reserves It is currently suitable for Drai. Analysts suggest that there should be there tenfold The height of DR supply to meet the zero 2050 goal. It is better to move forward now from playing at a later time. Britain must resist the attractiveness of short-term reforms and thinking as a country that still makes things-and wants to continue with it.

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