hutton_d

And the government say they *did all they could to help* ... EU Referendum: Not enough support?

"... The claimed reason for the closure of the Redcar plant is " over-capacity" in the industry, with Tara producing more than 28 million tons a year, employing approximately 80,000 workers across four continents. Strangely, though, this problem does not apply to the Indian plants (one pictured).

There, the industry is set to expand from its 2007 base of 53.10 million tons to 124.06 million a year by 2011-12 and to nearly 293 million tons annually by 2020.

Massive investment is required to see this expansion through, but as new plants will replace units with higher emissions per ton of steel produced – although they will still produce more emissions than comparable European plants – they will qualify for "Clean Development Mechanism" funding, plus "green" loans and grants which Mr Brown is so kindly set to negotiate at the Copenhagen summit.

So, when the Redcar plant workers, and all workers from the suppliers and service enterprises, can celebrate their job-free status for Christmas, they can at least be comforted by the fact that EU funds – to which they have contributed – will keep their Dutch colleagues in work, while Mr Brown's largess will be set to employ ever larger numbers of Indian workers, all in the name of saving the planet.

Much of that will come out of Mr Brown's £800 million annual splending spree, on top of the £800 million annual aid we give to India to relieve "poverty" (thus enabling India to maintain a standing army of 1.2 million men - to say nothing of its space programme) ..."


The last comment put in bold to point out to some sensitive souls on SN where some of our overseas aid goes to. And why it shouldn't! But a massive blow to lose the plant. And lookie here ... FT.com / UK / Economy & Trade - Tories hit at decline of manufacturing

"... The Tories seized on Financial Times analysis showing that manufacturing has declined almost three times faster under Labour than it did during the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher ..."

Wonder how many of those that lost their jobs will still vote Labour though??

Dave