North East Churches Acting Together
6th October 2015
A message from the Church leaders
concerning the future of the SSI plant in Redcar.
The people
of Teesside remain deeply uncertain and concerned about the potential for
future steel production in the region. In recent days we have watched and
listened as discussions have unfolded around the future of steel production on Teesside,
but nothing has been said that would allay the uncertainty as to whether the
Redcar plant will be mothballed, or closed completely.
What we do
know is that this will have a profound effect on the people of Teesside. 1700 posts will be made redundant directly
from the steel works, 500 from the coking works and other businesses will be
both directly and indirectly affected.
Families and local businesses will suffer as income in the region
drops. We know that this sort of
economic impact on a community has far more reaching effects on relationships,
health, child poverty and employment. This
in an area that is already struggling with the effects of austerity measures
that are hitting Teesside very hard.
We welcome
the Government's offer of £80 million to support the community. We hope that
this, in partnership with others, is part of a long term commitment to support
a community that has been committed to making steel production work on Teesside. Whilst
acknowledging that the global economy is challenging for steel production and
being appreciative of recent statements of support by the Business minister,
many in this region would have hoped for more direct support for the industry
at a time when much publicity is being given to the Northern Powerhouse and the
economy of the North east. We would urge that there be strategic and forward
looking thinking and planning for the region and for other areas of the country
suffering from the continuing decline of heavy industry.
Local
churches have already responded and will continue to pray, offer pastoral care,
assist those affected in material and practical ways and work with others to
seek outcomes that lead to a flourishing Teesside
Please join
us in praying for the people of Teesside.
Dr. Mark Bonnington (New and Independent Churches in
the North East) Chair of North East Churches Acting
Together
Rt Revd Paul Butler (Bishop of Durham)
Revd John Claydon (Regional Minister,
Northern Baptist Association)
Rt Revd Seamus Cunningham (Bishop of
Hexham and Newcastle)
Bishop Terry Drainey (Bishop of
Middlesbrough)
Rt Revd Paul Ferguson (Bishop of
Whitby)
Revd Ruth Gee (Chair of the Darlington
District of the Methodist Church)
Revd Stephen Lindridge (Chair of the
Newcastle District of the Methodist Church)
Majors Denis and Olive Lomax
(Divisional Commanders, Northern Salvation Army)
Revd Lis Mullen (Moderator of the
Northern Synod of the United Reformed Church)
Revd Paul Revill (Regional Minister,
Northern Baptist Association)
Rt Revd Frank White (Assistant Bishop
of Newcastle Diocese)
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