Jobs and British Steel

This was the most raised issue through the Big Conversation and understandably so.

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Since the election in 2024 not a week has gone by where I haven’t been working on securing the future of British Steel.

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As you’ll know, the Government has now taken British Steel into public ownership which is a vote of confidence in Scunthorpe and our steelworkers.

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Alongside the Steel Strategy it means that by working together with the workforce, the trade unions, management team, suppliers and customers we can ensure a bright future.

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There is more to do, including addressing broader policy issues such as reducing energy costs for energy-intensive industries like British Steel.

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More broadly on jobs youth unemployment was raised as a particular issue.

 

Roads, Potholes and the Local Environment

There was a lot of concern around the state of roads and the number of potholes across the constituency. While there was acknowledgement that this is outside the remit of an MP it’s my job to champion local people and raise their concerns.

 

People asked what North  Lincolnshire Council was doing saying it’s hard to notice any meaningful improvements.

 

Questions were raised about how potholes and maintenance is undertaken noting that often repairs are temporary and cause future issues down the line. There was a desire for more long-term solutions to be implemented and to also work with other partners such as utility companies to plan works to take place at the same time where possible.

 

It was noted that pothole repairs still leave a ‘bump’ in the road which can be felt by drivers and passengers. Concern was also raised about  existing infrastructure such as manhole covers being worked around causing deep dips in some roads.

 

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Turing to Scunthorpe High Street, there was a perception that North Lincolnshire Council is heavily investing in the area around Church Square to the detriment of other places. The lack of toilet provisions was raised as well as the noticeable difference between the top and bottom end of the High Street.

 

It was suggested that retail units be condensed to a smaller footprint with support offered for small, local, independent businesses to open. The other part of the High Street could then be used for housing.

 

One participant said that North Lincolnshire Council should consider how people are using the High Street and other areas and work to promote a ‘whole day out’ zone with entertainment providers, such as the cinema or bowling alleys, being located close together with restaurants and shops nearby.

 

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Bins and litter were raised as an issue with bins often overflowing. While it’s good that people are clearly using bins provided there is an issue with them being emptied so litter doesn’t start overflowing. It was suggested that when litter is branded with company names that the company should be fined.

 

Someone asked what impression we we’re giving visitors to Scunthorpe if they see full and overflowing bins.

 

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More broadly, the lack of community spirit was raised and everyone agreed that we need to do more to re-build our communities and develop a sense of pride in the local area.

 

Health Services

It was noted that while there may be extraordinary pressures on the NHS that the local workforce in Scunthorpe General Hospital and providing a fantastic service.

 

A lot of concern was raised about the removal of services from Scunthorpe to Grimsby and Hull and what impact this has on the long-term sustainability of the hospital.

 

The merger of NLaG into the Humber Health Partnership is generally seen as a negative thing with Scunthorpe being overlooked for investment. It was felt that decisions are being made in Hull by people who don’t have a connection to Scunthorpe.

 

Clinicians were concerned about how top heavy the NHS is and said it wasn’t like this when they first started practicing. How the NHS spends money was also questioned.

 

Travelling to Grimsby or Hull for services is putting a lot of pressure on families who need care and being able to access transport remains a concern for people.

 

There was a sense that Scunthorpe General Hospital is in a period of managed decline and that while some hospitals are retaining their services, investing in cutting edge equipment and recruiting new staff this activity isn’t taking place locally.

 

My next steps

The Government intervention to save British Steel is welcomed across the UK and now we must focus on the future and building a strong industry to serve our domestic needs.

 

I will continue to work with the trade unions, the management and the Government to get the best outcomes for British Steel.

 

Turning to unemployment, I am pleased that the Government has launched the Youth Jobs Grant which is designed to support employers to recruit and train young people.

 

I will continue to raise the challenges of recruitment and employment with the Government and champion policies that sets young people up for a life of work.

 

It’s good news that the Government is giving powers to local areas to save their High Streets; the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown.

 

Over the next six months, councils will be supported to improve local high streets, drawing on successful examples across the country. Building on this, the government will set out further action to tackle the long-term decline that has hollowed out town centres and make high streets places people want to visit, shop, and spend time in again.

 

I will seek to meet with North Lincolnshire Council to discuss what plans they have for High Streets across our communities.

 

On roads and potholes, I will continue to raise these issues with North Lincolnshire Council and push for them to do more.

 

I will continue to push for North Lincolnshire Council to keep on top of emptying bins and keeping the area clean and tidy.

 

I will also write to the Government about what more can be done to hold big business to account for littering.

 

On health services, there is real worry about being able to access services close to home in the community or in our hospital. That’s why I have been bringing together the key people making decisions about healthcare in our area to challenge them to work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for local patients.

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I will continue to meet with local NHS leaders, the ICB and North Lincolnshire Council to make sure that services are delivering for local people.

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I will continue to flag local concerns with the Government.

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I will continue to engage with the local workforce at every opportunity to hear how things are going on the front line.

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