As one of the largest construction projects in Europe, HS2 requires millions of tonnes of steel to be built.
However, in a recent series of parliamentary questions, the Department for Transport (DfT) admitted that is has not placed mandates on using domestically produced steel.
The lack of proactive government action is “alarming”, Unite said, which has also led to “growing uncertainty” about the long-term wellbeing of the UK steel industry.
The union represents thousands of steel workers in a domestic sector which has faced tough competition from China and other markets in recent years.
In 2020, British Steel was bought by Chinese firm Jingye Group in a last-ditch effort to secure the jobs of around 3,200 of its employees.
Just before its collapse, the head of trade association UK Steel implored the government to ensure that HS2 sourced its steel from UK firms in order to provide a boost to the domestic industry.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham...