Heathrow Airport’s signing of the UK Steel Charter maximises the opportunities for UK steel producers to supply its expansion project, says trade association UK Steel.

In signing the charter, Heathrow has agreed to detail and publish its future steel requirements well in advance of tendering and construction. It will also place a requirement in appropriate contracts requiring the origin of steel to be provided, and monitor and produce data on the levels of UK-produced steel used in the expansion.

The UK Steel Charter is an initiative aimed at maximising the amount of UK-produced steel used in UK construction and infrastructure projects. It aims to inject real transparency into procurement practices, maximising the ability of UK steel producers to compete for and win supply contracts in the UK, according to UK Steel.

UK Steel will be working to encourage more organisations to sign the charter. It will encourage especially those key government departments with oversight for major projects and spending, such the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Defence. Support will also be sought from other major infrastructure projects, including HS2 and offshore windfarm developers.

“We’re incredibly proud to be signing the UK Steel Charter today, building on our 2016 commitment to follow public sector procurement requirements for steel," Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye says in a note seen by Kallanish. “Heathrow expansion is an opportunity to deliver an economic boost for all the nations and regions of the UK, and supporting the steel industry is key to achieving that.”

Gareth Stace, UK Steel Director General says: “We are absolutely thrilled that Heathrow Expansion has decided to sign the UK Steel Charter. Heathrow is giving steel producers the length and breadth of the UK the best possible chance of playing a major part in this exciting project.”

Deirdre Fox, Director Strategic Business Development at Tata Steel in Europe and Chair of UK Steel Procurement Committee observes: “Signing up to the UK Steel Charter will help ensure UK steel companies have the best chance to provide the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of steel needed for the expansion project. Supporting projects like the Heathrow Expansion is in the DNA of Tata Steel and the other UK steel companies which are ready and able to supply steel to this important project.”