Steel requirements for infrastructure
On 13th December 2016, the government released new data showing how they plan to use 3 million tonnes of steel for infrastructure projects by 2020, as part of moves to support the UK steel industry.
For the first time, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy will start publishing their indicative future steel requirements on an annual basis. This complements the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, which lists more than £500 billion of planned private and public investment.
The projects identified in the pipeline include nuclear power stations, flood defences, bridges, wind farms, railways, motorways, and so on. Largest of these is Hinkley Point C, which will require 200,000 tonnes of rebar and 600,000 tonnes of embedment plates, as well as large quantities of structural steelwork. High Speed 2 (HS2) will also require in excess of 2 million tonnes of steel from 2020 onwards.
The announcement came alongside changes to government procurement guidance, in conjunction with the Steel Council, intended to make it easier for UK steel manufacturers to plan and bid for upcoming government contracts.The procurement guidance changes will also apply to materials such as ceramics, cement and aluminium.
Business and energy secretary Greg Clark said:
‘Wider social and environmental benefits’ should now be factored in by government purchasers when deciding on where to source steel. As well as this, purchasers have to be sure that the entire chain of chosen suppliers complies with relevant legislation and best practice. These updates build on the changes made in response to the steel crisis back in Autumn 2015, with the aim being to level the playing field for UK companies.
“These changes will ensure that UK steel companies can better plan for the long term, giving them an even greater chance of securing government contracts.
“We want UK companies big and small to be bidding for and winning government contracts which is why our upcoming Industrial Strategy is so important. This strategy will ensure we make the right investments in science, research, skills and infrastructure so that British industry wins contracts by producing the best goods and services.”
Gareth Stace, director of UK Steel, and Deirdre Fox, chair of the procurement and commercial working group of the Steel Council, said:
“This is a welcome announcement which moves the procurement process on a step further and will ensure that more UK produced steel will be used in a greater range of government funded projects.”
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the trade union Community said:
“We welcome today’s change to procurement rules as another step towards a joined-up industrial strategy that supports our steel industry. Using public sector procurement to deliver for the UK’s steel producers has been a key demand of our Save our Steel campaign and an issue we have consistently raised with government for many years.
“The changes the government made last year were positive and showed they were starting to listen to the voices of steelworkers and their employers. Today’s change is a welcome improvement, which we need to see put into practice so that UK companies are winning contracts and we can continue down the path towards a sustainable future for our steel industry.”
The full pipeline of projects is available to view here.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”