Government plans to use 3M tonnes of steel for infrastructure projects

The Government has highlighted its support for steel construction by unveiling plans to use 3M tonnes of steel in infrastructure projects by 2020.

Information published by Business Secretary Greg Clark and Cabinet Office Minister Ben Gummer said that changes to government procurement guidance will make it easier than ever before for UK steel manufacturers to plan and bid for upcoming government contracts.

Under the changes, government will start publishing their indicative future steel requirements on an annual basis, initially looking forward to 2020. It complements the new National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which set out over £500bn worth of planned private and public investment over this Parliament and beyond.

From roads to rail, defence to nuclear, the new data will show that central government infrastructure projects will need enough steel to build the equivalent of 173 Wembley stadiums – or 3M tonnes worth of steel across 18 separate projects. The total tonnage needed includes all types of steelwork, such as structural steel, rebar and rail.

These will include the upcoming High Speed 2 rail project, the construction of Hinkley Point and for the maintenance and upgrading of the motorway system.

British Constructional Steelwork Association Director General Sarah McCann-Bartlett said: “The release of the forward pipeline of steel projects will provide our steelwork contractors and the steel supply chain with more clarity on future demand for fabricated steelwork.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Ben Gummer said: “We will always strive to get the best value for money for taxpayers and we are going to do so in a way that strengthens our economy and bolsters the long-term prosperity of people across the country.

“I don’t want contracts going abroad if the best value for money bid is a British bid with all the social and economic benefits that brings.

“By updating our procurement approach on these major infrastructure projects we are creating a level playing field for UK steel.”