British Steel to cut jobs in Darlington and Teesside

British Steel has outlined plans to cut 70 jobs from its Special Profile sites in Darlington and Skinningrove.

The company, which tool over the sites from Tata Steel last year has set out plans to strengthen the competitive position of the business through growing sales, further investment and reducing costs.

British Steel will spend £1.8m this summer on raising manufacturing capabilities at its Skinningrove plant which, along with Darlington, makes components for earth-moving equipment. Further investment is planned to modernise the plant by introducing automation to the production process.

Peter Gate, British Steel Managing Director Special Profiles, said:

British Steel was launched last year and has five business units – Primary Products (iron and steel-making), Construction, Rail, Wire Rod and Special Profiles.

The steelworkers' union has responded to the potential job cuts at British Steel.

Responding to the announcement from British Steel regarding potential job cuts, restructuring and investment at its Special Profiles business, Steve McCool, national officer at the steelworkers’ union Community, said:

The company has already identified 20 opportunities at its Teesside Beam Mill operation to which workers could transfer. Workers potentially affected by the changes have been briefed.