IT is sad, and I would love to have seen the days when British steel production, was fed by British coal, and that steel went to the numerous British ship yards to build British ships.
But after 1900 that boat started to leave port as Germany took over as the key industrial power, quickly followed by the rise of the USA as a superpower during their American century.
That then degenerated into what we see today, with the likes of China out producing everyone and providing quality steel at lower prices than most.
Like the coal mines, and shipbuilding, for the British they are "past" industries as the expertise now lies in high tech industries. The reason why this has happened I think is clear for all to see; there is no profit to be made in those industries as the British workforce, rightly, expect good, liveable wages,being earnt in healthy environments and not down a stinking hot pit nor in very hot and dangerous conditions that exist in a steel works.
During the 1960's and 1970' British governments threw huge amounts of money at those past industries , but even the Labour Party learnt to realise is was good money after bad as coal, steel, shipbuilding and even car production (in the old 1970' style) could never make a profit again.
I just cannot see how any government now can justify keeping British Steel going. Even that company only a short time ago paid just £1 for the business at SLady bitshorpe, which reflected the fact the business was not viable and in a desperate situation. If Tata steel, or someone else can keep it all going, great. But it must be a commercial decision, not a political one that will result in the British public paying a fortune for a non-viable business as happened in the past. That money should go to other worthy causes, such as full support given to the steel workers who lose their jobs, including retraining for the younger ones, and a nice retirement package for the older ones if they want it.
As for our need to get steel in the time of war, well the USA could supply it, but frankly in any full blown World grade conflict there will be no time to worry about steel for tanks, ships, etc. If we survive the first few days, it will be as a result of using missles built in high tech factories with aluminium.
Why is it that when I typed the name of the steel works, Sc--thorpe, lady bits came up??!!