UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Keir Starmer delays holiday to attend an emergency session of Parliament focused on saving British Steel, amid concerns over the Scunthorpe plant’s future.
As reported by The Independent News, the British Prime Minister has postponed his family vacation to attend an urgent parliamentary session to prevent the closure of British Steel.
Number 10 announced that the Prime Minister had planned to travel to southern Europe but would now depart on Sunday after delaying his holiday for Parliament’s emergency session.
What emergency measures are MPs backing to save British Steel?
As fears grow over British Steel’s future, lawmakers rushed back to Parliament to endorse emergency nationalisation plans. This followed Sir Keir Starmer’s warning that the nation’s economic and security interests are at stake.
Parliament is moving swiftly, as urgent legislation to seize control of British Steel is expected to pass in just one day, underlining the severity of the crisis.
The Commons held a rare Saturday debate after MPs were recalled due to the government’s fears that British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant is at risk.
The move enables the government to secure supplies and issue orders to staff, keeping British Steel operational.
What did Jonathan Reynolds tell MPs about British Steel’s crisis?
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds informed the House of Commons that British Steel’s Chinese owners had attempted to shut down the Scunthorpe blast furnaces without consultation as MPs began discussing the emergency plans.
He told MPs,
“Doing nothing is not an option. We could not, will not and never will stand idly by while heat seeps from the UK’s remaining blast furnaces without any planning, any due process or any respect for the consequences. And that is why I needed colleagues here today.”
Mr Reynolds stated,
“When it comes to steel, we will never accept the argument that steel making is a sunset industry. Steel is vital to every bit of the modern economy, domestic demand for steel is only set to go up, not down.”
Business Secretary said,
“The legislation we’re setting out today will also help end the uncertainty that has been hanging over British Steel’s Scunthorpe site for too long,” adding, “This issue should have been resolved years ago. I also believe that they now view it as a mistake to have given this essential national asset to this company.”
What did Daisy Cooper say about British Steel Bills?
Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman, warned that the British Steel bailout “could set a severe and dangerous precedent.”
She told the Commons, “Under the terms of this Bill, the Secretary of State (Jonathan Reynolds) is giving himself huge and unconstrained powers, which could set a very dangerous precedent.”
Ms Cooper added,
“I urge the Secretary of State in the strongest possible terms to make a simple commitment today that the powers that he is giving himself will be repealed as soon as possible, within six months at the latest, and if they are still required after that, whether he will come back to this House to ask for another vote if he wants to extend them.”
What did Doug Parr say about the emergency legislation to save British Steel?
Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s director of policy, praised Parliament for its timely action to preserve British Steel and the jobs it supports.
He said,
“But much depends on what the government chooses to do with these powers. Ensuring the steel industry has a future will depend on converting the Scunthorpe plant to produce virgin green steel made with hydrogen technology. This will ensure the UK remains a contender in the global race to produce clean steel.”
Mr Parr stated, “It is also critical that lessons are learned from Port Talbot and that workers have a voice in future decisions about their jobs,”
adding,
“The clean energy transition is an opportunity to lower bills, reduce pollution and provide decent jobs long into the future. Today’s vote is an important milestone on that road.”
How many times has Keir Starmer postponed his holidays since taking office?
Sir Keir Starmer delayed his second trip abroad as Prime Minister in December after the death of his brother Nick on Boxing Day. He later joined his family in Madeira for the vacation.
The prime minister had planned to leave a day earlier, but postponed his departure after his brother, aged 60, died from cancer.
The Labour leader called off his planned August holiday to Europe following domestic unrest and rising tensions in the Middle East in 2024.
Now, this is the third time during his time in office that he has cancelled his holidays to attend an urgent parliamentary session on British Steel.