The five-year contract will see the firm deliver up to 80,000 tonnes of rail a year from its Scunthorpe works \u2013 safeguarding thousands of jobs and locking in its role as the UK\u2019s principal rail supplier.<\/p>\n
The deal can be extended for another three years and comes just months after the Government stepped in to save the blast furnaces from closure.<\/p>\n
British Steel commercial director for rail Craig Harvey said: \u201cThis is a ringing endorsement of UK workers and British industry. It shows the vital role we play in keeping Britain\u2019s railways moving safely and efficiently.\u201d<\/p>\n
The contract will see Scunthorpe workers manufacture rails for maintenance and renewal projects across the country.<\/p>\n
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called the deal \u201ca landmark contract that truly transforms the outlook for British Steel and its dedicated workforce in Scunthorpe\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cWe\u2019ve now helped secure their long-term future by backing British Steel with meaningful government contracts, protecting thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal was \u201ca vote of confidence in the UK\u2019s expertise in steelmaking\u201d and would help support future infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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