英国去工业化，一刀裁到大动脉！现在政府正动用25亿英镑挽留中资

Core Viewpoint - The decline of the UK steel industry is attributed to external factors such as market demand fluctuations, high energy costs, and strict environmental regulations, leading to significant job losses and the potential for further closures in the future [5][9][20] Group 1: Historical Context - The UK industrialization began in the 19th century, with steel and coal industries making it a global manufacturing hub, but competition from the US and Germany led to a decline in market share by the mid-20th century [1] - The British Steel Corporation was formed in 1967 through the merger of 14 companies, controlling 90% of the national capacity, but privatization in 1988 led to efficiency issues and loss of control to foreign investors [1][3] Group 2: Recent Developments - In 2019, British Steel went into bankruptcy, resulting in the loss of 5,000 jobs, prompting the government to seek buyers to preserve capacity and employment [5] - The acquisition by China's Jingye Group in 2020 saved 3,200 jobs and led to significant operational improvements, including an increase in annual production from 2.2 million tons to 4.6 million tons and a reduction in production costs [7] Group 3: Financial Performance - Despite initial improvements, British Steel reported a loss of £49.5 million in 2021, which surged to £408.4 million in 2022, indicating ongoing financial struggles [7] - In 2023, the company announced further layoffs and continued losses, leading Jingye to consider withdrawing investment and closing operations [9][13] Group 4: Government Response - The UK government proposed a £2.5 billion fund to support the steel industry, focusing on transitioning to green steel production and prioritizing domestic supply [14][20] - Emergency legislation was passed to allow government intervention in the steel industry, with plans to maintain employment and manage operations amid ongoing financial difficulties [16][18] Group 5: Industry Challenges - The UK steel industry faces challenges such as high energy costs, reliance on imported raw materials, and strict environmental regulations, which have contributed to its decline [11][20] - The overall industrial decline in the UK has led to a hollowing out of manufacturing, with steel being a critical sector for national defense and economic stability [11][20]