Statement on Liberty Steel

The Council has issued a statement on the news that the Liberty Steel Stocksbridge plant is to be sold:

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Executive Member for City Futures: Development, Culture and Regeneration at Sheffield City Council, said:

“I know that many people in Stocksbridge will be deeply concerned by the news that Liberty Steel is to be sold, and this is a challenging time not just for the hundreds of people who work there, but their families and the wider community too. The specialised skills and expertise of the dedicated workforce at the Stocksbridge plant are vital to the success of the British steel industry, and we are urgently calling on Government to recognise the national significance of this site and protect the important work being done. We will continue to seek confirmation from Government that they will act swiftly to ensure that the future of the site and people’s livelihoods are secure, and that this clarity is provided as soon as possible.”

Councillor Julie Grocutt, Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:

“The past year has been an extremely difficult time for many people and this news has only created further uncertainty about the future, that urgently needs to be addressed. As a councillor for Stocksbridge and the Upper Don, I know first-hand the important role that Liberty Steel plays in the local economy and its significance to the community, as well as to the rest of the UK. The plant’s extensive contribution to the wider country cannot be underestimated as a major, high quality supplier to the aerospace industry, which is a fact that the Government must recognise and value by taking immediate steps to provide assurances that the Stocksbridge plant and workers will be protected going forwards.”