UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – House of Commons recalled on Saturday to discuss nationalising British Steel after negotiations fail to save Scunthorpe blast furnaces from shutdown.
As reported by The Guardian, MPs will return to Parliament to address the British Steel crisis. Number 10 has revealed a bill that would allow ministers to “direct” the company if needed.
The decision comes after talks collapsed over keeping two blast furnaces operational at the Jingye-owned British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.
At 11 am on 12 April, MPs will be recalled from Easter recess to discuss bringing British Steel into public ownership to protect steel production in Britain.
Downing Street spokesperson’s views on the future of British Steel
A Downing Street spokesman stated,
“The prime minister has been clear, his government will always act in the national interest. All actions we take are in the name of British industry, British jobs and for British workers. Tomorrow Parliament will be recalled to debate the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill.”
Referring to the bill, the spokesperson said,
“The Bill provides the government with the power to direct steel companies in England, which we will use to protect the Scunthorpe site. It enables the UK government to preserve capability and ensure public safety. It also ensures all options remain viable for the future of the plant and the livelihoods it supports.”
They added,
“We have been negotiating with British Steel’s owners in good faith ever since coming to office. We have always been clear that there is a bright future for steel in the UK. All options remain on the table.”
What did the House of Commons spokesperson say about the 12 April recall?
The House of Commons’ spokesperson said in a statement,
“The speaker of the House of Commons has granted a request from the government to recall the House at 11 am on 12 April for the House to take forward legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded.”
What did Roy Rickhuss say about the recall of Parliament for British Steel?
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the steelworkers’ union Community, stated,
“We welcome this decision to recall Parliament.”
He said,
“It is in the national interest that a solution is found to secure a future for British Steel as a vital strategic business. We can’t allow Britain to become the only G7 country without primary steelmaking capacity.”
Mr Rickhuss added,
“In the absence of a deal with Jingye to continue blast furnace operations at Scunthorpe as part of a transition to greener steelmaking, it is essential that we see urgent action taken to bring British Steel into public ownership.”
Nigel Farage’s stance on nationalising British Steel
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, urged the Government to nationalise the steelmaking operation in Scunthorpe by the week’s end. He recently paid a visit to the large facility on Tuesday.
He said it’s essential for the government to act promptly, ensuring that orders for the iron ore pellets and coking coal required for the furnaces are made.
Mr Farage stated,
“There has to be an immediate nationalisation of this plant, an immediate nationalisation of primary steel production in Britain.”
He added,
“It has to happen before the end of this week. The orders for these primary commodities have to go in. It would be madness for Britain not to be a producer of primary steel.”
Jingye plans to close Scunthorpe steelworks
Scunthorpe is the UK’s last remaining steelworks that can produce steel from iron ore. However, last month, Jingye revealed plans to shut down the plant’s two blast furnaces, jeopardizing 2,700 jobs.
Since then, the company has refused to pay for new raw materials, with coal and iron ore deliveries to Immingham port unpaid.
The government proposed £500m to replace the blast furnaces with cleaner electric arc furnaces, but Jingye has asked for a much larger amount.