Orpington may not be a traditional steelmaking centre, but it is home to fantastic businesses involved in steel fabrication, engineering and manufacturing that rely on a reliable supply of steel. These firms support local supply chains, provide employment for local people and contribute to our economy.
Regrettably, some of them will be affected by new steel tariff rules expected to come into force this summer.
The Government says it wants to support British industry and encourage economic growth. Yet these proposals risk achieving the exact opposite. Manufacturers that buy steel from overseas to use in products made here in Britain could face substantial new costs. Meanwhile, overseas competitors will be able to manufacture those same products abroad and export them into Britain without facing the same burden. That is wrongheaded and unfair.
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If a company employs British workers, invests in British facilities and manufactures products in Britain, government policy should support it, not put it at a disadvantage.
The concern is not just about steel. It comes at a time when businesses are already facing rising costs from every direction. Higher National Insurance contributions, expensive energy bills and a burdensome business rates system are all making it more difficult to invest, grow and create jobs.
Many employers are also worried about the additional costs and regulatory burdens that will arise from the Government’s Employment Rights Act. Workers’ rights are important but the new rules will make it harder to hire staff, expand their operations or weather difficult economic conditions.
Economic growth will not come from making it harder for businesses to succeed. It will come from creating the conditions in which they can compete, invest and expand.
Manufacturing remains a vital part of our economy. It supports families, strengthens local communities and helps drive growth across the country. The businesses that process and use steel are an important part of that story.
Whether it is a steel fabricator in Orpington or a manufacturer elsewhere in the country, the principle is straightforward: British firms should not be penalised for making things in Britain.
- Gareth Bacon is the Conservative MP for Orpington
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