Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds joined MPs and the Community Union in Parliament Square this week to support calls for the Chancellor to help the steel industry in next week’s budget as energy prices continue to rise.

Steelworkers from plants in South Wales, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire gathered at Parliament Square highlighting how the huge increases in cost of energy have threatened the survival of the steel sector.

Steelmakers in the UK are paying 61% more than their competitors in Germany, which has cost the sector £254m in the past 5 years. The Community Union, the union for steelworkers has warned that this price disparity threatens jobs in the UK steel industry.

Mr Thomas-Symonds has been a longstanding supporter of the steel industry since elected as Torfaen MP, and in his role as Shadow Trade Secretary he has pushed the UK Government to secure the lifting of damaging US steel and aluminium tariffs that is putting businesses and livelihoods at risk.

The Torfaen MP commented: ‘As a son of a steelworker, the steel industry will always be an issue close to my heart. The Chancellor must listen to steelworkers and bring forward urgent support for the sector in his budget next week.

A thriving Britain needs a thriving steel sector that is vital for manufacturing and defence. I wholeheartedly support steelworkers and trade unions in their campaign for help with steepening energy costs, and to decarbonise the steel sector.’