Dorset firm urges government to bring British Steel back into ‘public ownership’
The managing director of a steel construction firm in Dorset has called for British Steel to be nationalised
Last updated 10th Apr 2025
A steel construction firm in Christchurch is backing calls for the nationalisation of British Steel.
It comes after British Steel opened a consultation on the closure of the country’s remaining two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, putting 2,700 jobs at risk.
Now, Simon Boyd, the managing director of REIDsteel, believes action “must be taken urgently” to bring the business into public ownership.
He told us: “Successive governments have allowed much of the manufacturing base to be exported overseas and this is why we need to take this back on the public ownership
“To lose that blast furnace capability could have a devastating impact on our infrastructure, our defence and our manufacturing base.”
There are fears that if British Steel closes its blast furnaces, the UK will be forced to rely on imported steel.
This is despite the UK steel industry contributing £4.2bn to the UK economy and supporting 75,000 jobs nationally, including the 130-strong at REIDsteel.
Mr Boyd added: “The industrial revolution started this country with coal and steel and we owe everything to that core steelmaking is absolutely essential for our future security, our infrastructure and manufactured goods.”
REIDsteel uses British Steel in its design, manufacture and erection of steel structures, including bridges, aircraft hangars and airports, around the world.
Simon Boyd has since written to all 650 members of parliament, noting that “with the right investment”, British Steel will become “the best and most efficient in the world” once again.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has assured the sector that steel production is part of the government's "plans for growth"
Sir Keir Starmer said: “It’s part of our heritage and our plans for growth are going to require more steel, therefore the demand for steel is going to go up, not down.
“I'm really pleased that we've set aside £2.5billion for the future of steel and we're currently working with and discussing the situation in Scunthorpe. All options are on the table.
“I recognise this is extremely worrying for the business, for the workforce and for the community and for the country.”