BRITISH Steel has announced it is suspending production for three weeks.

The firm has assured staff there are to be no job losses at this time, but workers will be furloughed until production can continue.

British Steel CEO Ron Deelen said: “The coronavirus is shaping how we all lead our daily lives and we’ve robust and flexible plans in place to protect our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.

"We continue to follow the latest guidance from Public Health England and the UK Government, and are constantly adapting our working habits and operations accordingly.

“Hundreds of our employees, predominantly in office-based roles but a growing number in technical positions, have been working from home for some time now and they’ll remain doing so for the foreseeable future.

"Manufacturing is obviously very different and our safety critical operations, which are largely unique to the steel industry, require some highly skilled people to remain on our sites.

"To safeguard these employees during the pandemic, and ensure their wellbeing at work, we’re following Government guidelines and meeting twice daily to review operations.

“Actions we’ve taken include reducing production, social distancing where safe and practicable, providing face masks, improved cleaning standards and producing our own hand sanitiser gel.

"We’re preparing to start temperature checks for all people (including employees) visiting our sites and our Occupational Health team is offering expert care and guidance to our people.

"We’ve also asked contractors on our sites to take the appropriate measures.

“As we manage the internal and external challenges coronavirus brings, we’ll take decisive action to protect our people and our operations. Due to a fall in demand, we’ve paused production and operations at our Special Profiles business in Skinningrove, initially for three weeks, with immediate effect.

"We’re also reducing operations at our Lisburn service centre for a short time for similar reasons. These are both temporary measures in the face of difficult market conditions, and we’ll provide all the support our employees deserve and require.

"Our other sites continue to operate in line with Government guidance, including our two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe. We’ll continue to adjust production appropriately and will not compromise on safety.

“We’re extremely grateful for the commitment and flexibility of all our employees, and for Jingye’s resolute support. I’d also like to thank our customers, suppliers and contractors for their understanding, along with the trade unions and Government for their assistance. These are unprecedented and challenging times but we’re working hard to ensure we come through this together.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The announcement that British Steel is suspending production for three weeks will come as no surprise given the unprecedented national emergency caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on businesses both large and small.

“I have spoken to British Steel and I have been reassured that there will be no job losses at all as a result of this. It is expected that all staff will be furloughed.  The site at Lackenby is not affected by this and the company’s facility in Darlington will remain open.

“British Steel’s client book remains strong, but a slowdown in business as a result of the outbreak is the reason behind the pause as many of their clients have enough stock in place to last them for three months. This is obviously a changing landscape, but at present British Steel plans to reopen as normal once the three weeks are up.

“Since May last year a huge number of people, including the trade unions, have worked tirelessly to secure the long-term future of British Steel, and today’s announcement should not distract from this huge achievement. The firm remains committed to our region and the hundreds of Teesside workers.

“I am in constant dialogue with British Steel and will update everyone when I have more news. My absolute priority remains Teesside workers and I will do everything I can to make sure they and their families get the support they need during the unprecedented challenge we face as a region and as a nation.”