The Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has signed the UK Steel Charter at British Steel’s Scunthorpe site, reaffirming support for the use of UK‑produced steel in publicly funded infrastructure projects across the region.
The signing took place on Friday 1st May and marks a clear commitment by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority to strengthen opportunities for UK steel producers and support the long‑term future of the domestic steel industry.
Alongside signing the Charter, Dame Andrea Jenkyns also formally endorsed the Save Steel, Buy British campaign.
The campaign, led jointly by British Steel and the Community trade union, calls on UK industry and public bodies to prioritise home‑produced steel in construction and infrastructure projects, helping protect jobs, skills, and supply chains.
Supporters of the campaign say backing British steel is critical to ensuring the UK retains strategic manufacturing capability and industrial resilience.
By signing the UK Steel Charter, the Combined County Authority signals its intent to ensure that UK steelmakers have fair and early visibility of major public projects, allowing them to compete more effectively.
The Charter is a voluntary, sector‑led initiative that promotes best practice in procurement and encourages public bodies to consider social value, environmental impact and domestic supply when planning infrastructure schemes.
The move is designed to help prevent UK producers being disadvantaged by late engagement or unclear procurement pipelines.
The signing event highlighted the ongoing importance of British Steel’s Scunthorpe works to employment, skills, and industry in Greater Lincolnshire.
Commenting at the signing, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Dame Andrea Jenkyns said:
"I was proud to sign both the UK Steel Charter and the British Steel Charter today, marking a significant milestone for our regional economy and the future of British manufacturing. As Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, I am fully committed to supporting our vital steel industry and the thousands of high-skilled jobs it provides across our county. By signing these charters, we are ensuring that UK made steel is at the heart of our infrastructure projects and our long term growth strategy."
The site remains one of the UK’s most significant steelmaking locations, supporting thousands of direct and indirect jobs and playing a crucial role in the region’s industrial identity.
By backing UK‑made steel, the authority aims to support local and national manufacturing, strengthen supply chain resilience, and retain specialist skills and apprenticeships whilst delivering infrastructure projects with broader social and economic value.
Image credit: iStock
