The UK Government must guarantee UK steel is used for major defence and infrastructure projects, according to union Unite.

Ahead of meeting with steelworkers today, 21 March, Unite's General Secretary Len McCluskey said ministers "must make it a priority" that UK steel is used in rail projects, such as HS2, as well as other infrastructure and defence schemes.

He also urged ministers to enact a policy of if 'it's built for Britain, it should be made by Britain'.

Mr McCluskey will also meet with British Steel executives to receive a progress update after the company changed ownership last year.

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"British Steel workers and their former colleagues at Tata Steel UK have fought tooth-and-nail to ensure steel has a future in the UK," he said.

"They and their families have made great sacrifices in doing so, because they recognise the importance of steel as a key foundation industry and a source for decent jobs on which their communities rely on.

"The government's classification of steel as a low priority in its industrial strategy displays a degree of complacency about the UK's steel industry, with many steelworkers viewing it as an insult.

"Steel is a key foundation industry and crucial to renewal of the nation's infrastructure. Ministers as part of public procurement need to instruct that UK steel is used, rather than relying on the present guidance, to ensure that UK industry and the UK economy benefits from major infrastructure investment."

(LM)