The LEP Board signed up to support the UK Steel Charter and the thousands employed in the industry in the region in July.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP Board signed up to support the UK Steel Charter and the thousands employed in the industry in the region in July.

The industry-led charter, put together by UK Steel, aims to boost the amount of UK steel used in construction and infrastructure projects by approaching organisations to sign up and commit to a range of procurement measures.

The charter sets out to accomplish the following:

  • Help ensure the best possible economic benefit to the UK economy by increasing GVA in UK manufacturing supply chains
  • Unlock the social, environmental and economic benefits of shortened and localised supply chains
  • Support highly paid, skilled manufacturing jobs and training opportunities in communities across the UK
  • Build on pre-existing government policy to back the steel industry and provide organisations with a range of simple, practical steps they can take to ensure the maximum value is achieved in their projects.

Ruth Carver, Chief Executive of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “The steel industry is a vital part of the Greater Lincolnshire economy both locally and nationally in terms of employment and GDP. 

“The current market, as we’ve seen recently, is challenging. However, by committing to this UK-wide charter, alongside our local colleagues, we’re agreeing to take practical steps to maximise the opportunities for UK steel producers, especially those in our region.

“We want to ensure that this thriving part of our manufacturing heritage is around for many more years to come. And we hope that this charter will help support that.”

The charter will provide clear benefits for the Greater Lincolnshire steel industry, while also supporting the wider manufacturing sector and UK economy, helping organisations to maximise the positive impact of projects made using procurement decisions.

By signing up to the charter, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP has committed to:

  • Establishing clear and simple criteria to identify which projects are in the scope of the charter commitments, ie Local Growth Fund
  • Monitoring and producing data on the levels of UK-produced steel used in projects
  • Placing a requirement in appropriate contracts requiring the origin of steel to be provided
  • Stipulating the use of steel products accredited to BRE Standard BES 6001
  • Ensuring projects advertise opportunities for steel providers where appropriate
  • Ensuring projects introduce a requirement for tender applications to include supply chain plans
  • Ensuring projects host engagement meetings/events for major projects in advance of procurement decisions being made