Another Betrayal of Britain's Steel

Jack Blanchard writes:

David Cameron has been accused of sticking the knife into ­manufacturing after allowing a lucrative train building contract go to the Spanish.

Derby firm Bombardier was snubbed as the £490million deal to build carriages for Northern Rail went to CAF – effectively ruling out using any British steel in the process.

It comes hard on the heels of the Mirror’s revelations that the PM could use cheap foreign steel to build the Navy’s new warships. 

Furious union chiefs tonight accused the Mr Cameron of further betraying struggling British firms, who have already been battered by closures thanks to cheap Chinese products.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This is yet another kick in the teeth to train building, in the nation that gave the railways to the world.

“At a time when manufacturing jobs and the steel industry in Britain are under the cosh it is nothing short of scandalous that this contract has been sent overseas.”

Steel union Community president Alan Coombs added: 

“Yet again, David Cameron is turning his back on the British steel industry. It seems as if our government couldn’t care less. 

“How can we hope to succeed when our own government would rather help foreign steelmakers instead of us?” 

It was understood Britain’s only remaining train maker Bombardier was on the shortlist for the Northern Rail contract but lost out – depriving it of cash to secure its future.

The move is further evidence that Mr Cameron’s pledge to “buy British” steel for major projects is an empty one.

The Mirror is campaigning to save the industry, which is still reeling from the news steel firm Tata is axing 1,050 jobs at plants across the UK. 

Last year, it shed 1,200 posts while SSI axed 2,200 staff in Redcar, Teesside. 

The CAF deal was signed off by German-owned Arriva Rail North, which was handed the new nine-year Northern Rail contract by the Tories last month. 

Arriva said: “CAF provided the best, value-for-money offer in response to our ­requirements.” 

Despite that deal and the MoD’s refusal to rule out cheap imports for Navy ships, the Government continued to insist last night it is fighting for UK steel workers. 

A spokesman said: “We are working hard to make sure that, where we can, we source British steel. The Prime Minister has been very clear on that.” 

CAF warned it will continue to target our privatised rail network and hopes to land the HS2 deal next year. 

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “Thanks to our record investment more than 2,000 carriages are being built in British factories.

“The state of the art trains Arriva are providing will improve journeys across the North, which has suffered from worn-out rolling stock for too long.”