Steel industry in the United Kingdom
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The steel industry in the United Kingdom is a major sector of the British economy. In 2023, the United Kingdom was the world's 26th largest producer of crude steel and Europe's 8th largest.[1] It produced 5.6 million tonnes of crude steel, equivalent to 0.3% of global output.[2]
History
The steel industry employed 350,000 people when it was nationalised by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1967.[3]
In the 2020s, the steel industry faced crisis. Thousands of job losses at Port Talbot Steelworks lead to Plaid Cymru calling for nationalisation.[4] The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 was passed to secure British Steel company at Scunthorpe Steelworks.[5]
Environmental impact
The steel industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom. It is responsible for 2.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions and 13.4% of greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing.[6] Environmental concerns have been cited as an issue for the industry.[7]