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Union fears on future for steel
THE head of steelworkers' union Community has questioned the future of the industry if the Conservatives win the next general election.
Community's general secretary Michael Leahy has written a letter to Tory leader David Cameron complaining at the party's opposition to specific help for the industry.
Plants at Stocksbridge and Rotherham have suffered 1,500 job losses over the last year due to declining demand for steel caused by the recession.
But Rotherham-born William Hague, former Conservative leader and shadow foreign secretary, told The Star it would be wrong to favour one industry over another for government support.
In his letter to Mr Cameron, Mr Leahy said: "Since January the steel Industry has been hit by this global recession in an unprecedented way - the workforce and management have worked together to keep costs low but despite help we have seen thousands of job losses."
He criticised the Tories for opposing Government moves resulting in more demand for steel, such as new buildings at schools and hospitals, and the car scrappage scheme.
Mr Leahy said the union was also unhappy the Tories were planning to end the 2 million Train to Gain programme to help steel workers re-skill, and abolish regional developments such as Yorkshire Forward, which have provided Corus with grants totalling 3 million "to help them through the recession".
He added: "You affirm any form of government subsidy or protection for
the industry is not the right answer. What do you believe is the right
answer?"
Hillsborough Labour MP Angela Smith, who is standing in the new Penistone and Stocksbridge seat at the election - where the Conservatives have their biggest hopes of victory - said: "Comments made by William Hague have persuaded me the Tories haven't changed at all.
"His admission the steel industry won't get special treatment is seen
by me as clear evidence South Yorkshire still has a lot to fear from the Tories."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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