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The UK's steel industry, once employing over 300,000, now faces a crisis with fewer than 40,000 jobs. Trump's tariffs on steel exports to the US, along with rising energy costs and decarbonization efforts, are exacerbating the situation. Towns like Port Talbot and Redcar, historically reliant on steel, are grappling with potential job losses and economic decline. While some workers find new opportunities, others face hardship. The government's interventions, such as in Scunthorpe, highlight the challenges and uncertainties facing the industry's future, with debate focusing on whether to revive steel production or transition to new industries.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.