Downsizing deals - Steelmakers express shock at Corus job cuts
Monday, 29 Jun 2009
Scunthorpe Telegraph quoted Mr Lee Norris MD of Fender Steel Limited as saying that the latest job cuts at the Corus works were mind blowing. Mr Norris said that "It is mind blowing because with the number of people who come through the door who are already looking for work, to think this could be increased by hundreds is a scary thought. Local business is struggling already and if Corus is threatened, then Scunthorpe has got serious problems."
The Federation of Small Businesses said that the wider effects of steel job losses on the economy of North Lincolnshire could mean more people losing their jobs.
Mr Neil Poole chairman of North Lincolnshire said that it was not just the effect on firms supplying directly into the steel industry. He added that "Wage packets being lost will have an effect on the local economy. There's that much less money going to be spent here."
Mr Francis Micallef GM of Rainham Steel in Scunthorpe, which buys steel from Corus and other suppliers, said that the news from Corus was sad not only for the steel industry but for the town. He added that "We are optimistic Corus will invest in the Scunthorpe site in the future."
As reported in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and online at www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk the redundancies at Corus' Scunthorpe site are among 2,000 nationally.
