As a sign of its commitment to ensuring positive benefits nationwide, Heathrow also signed the UK Steel Charter today at British Steel Scunthorpe. The charter aims to maximise supply chain opportunities for UK steel producers. The event will be attended and supported by Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP; Community Trade Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss; Scunthorpe MP Sir Nic Dakin; representatives from the BCC, CBI and GMB Union, and supporters from across industry and politics.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “This investment is the latest in a long line of wins which our Plan for Change has helped deliver, and not only supports thousands of jobs but marks a major vote of confidence in our homegrown steel sector and this government’s Industrial Strategy. Driving demand for UK-made steel is a crucial part of our upcoming Steel Strategy, and by signing the Steel Charter Heathrow will give a huge boost to steelmaking communities across the UK and help us kickstart economic growth.”
According to the most recent study from Frontier Economics, a third runway could increase UK GDP by 0.43% by 2050. Over half, 60% of that boost, would go to areas outside London and the South-East. The project is supported by over 30 Chambers of Commerce and business groups up and down the country including the CBI, MakeUK, British Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses; airports including Newcastle Airport and Cornwall Newquay; and trades unions including Community Union, GMB, and BALPA.