Local MP visits prominent Norfolk steelwork firm to discuss industry challenges and opportunities

19/12/2024

Category: General

Jerome Mayhew, the MP for Broadland and Fakenham, recently visited TSI Structures, a leading constructional steelwork specialist, to engage with industry leaders and address critical issues facing the sector.

Established in 1995, TSI Structures, which now employs 46 members of staff, is renowned for its innovative approach to steel fabrication and construction, delivering bespoke solutions for a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, commercial development, and residential projects.

The visit, hosted at TSI Structures' facilities, brought together key stakeholders from the company and a representative from the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). The discussions highlighted pressing challenges and opportunities within the constructional steelwork industry.

The primary topics covered during the visit included:

• Cash retentions: Mr. Mayhew learned about the widespread issue of delayed payments to steel contractors, who often face prolonged financial uncertainty as cash retentions are held until entire construction projects are completed—sometimes taking years.
• Increase in Minimum Wage (2025) and skills: the upcoming rise in minimum wage is narrowing the gap between skilled and unskilled workers, which risks increasing the already significant skills shortage in the constructional steelwork industry.
• Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs): Mr. Mayhew expressed keen interest in decarbonisation initiatives, particularly the development of Electric Arc Furnace technology. He engaged in dialogue about potential locations for the next EAF facility, underlining its importance to a greener and more sustainable steel industry.

The visit provided a platform for constructive dialogue on how policymakers and the constructional steelwork industry can collaborate to foster growth, improve payment practices, and address sustainability goals.

Grant Bayes from TSI Structures, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Jerome Mayhew MP to TSI Structures and show him around our facility. His interest in the challenges our industry faces, from cash retentions to skills shortages, is a positive step forward.”

Jonathan Clemens, CEO of the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) said: “The team at TSI Structures did a fantastic job of hosting Jerome and highlighted the importance of the steelwork sector for the UK’s infrastructure and housing ambitions, whilst also addressing key challenges preventing firms like TSI from unlocking its full potential.”

Jerome Mayhew MP said: “I was delighted to speak to the team at TSI Structures and find out more about the commercial buildings that have gone up across Broadland and Fakenham as a result of their work. The company does, quite literally, provide the foundation on which businesses can be built and grown. Strong economic growth can only be achieved through continued support for the UK’s steelworks sector and I’m grateful to the team for sharing their insight on how we can best shape policy to support the industry.”

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