UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Alex Burghart slams rushed steel bill, saying government made “pig’s breakfast” and granted itself powers not seen in decades.
MPs approved a programme motion before the debate, allowing all stages of the government’s Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill to be resolved today.
What did Alex Burghart say about the government’s Steel Bill?
As reported by Sky News, shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart, referring to the government’s steel bill, said, “The truth is the government has made a total pig’s breakfast.”
He remarked that anyone tracking the story would have realized, “this was coming down the track.”
The cabinet minister also criticized the government for making a poor deal, adding,
“It huge discourtesy to the House that we’ve only seen the bill for 90 minutes. Far-reaching powers are being given to the government not seen in around 40 years.”
Mr Burghart urged the government to “apologize” for its handling of the situation.
What did Reynolds say about recalling parliament and the emergency Steel Bill?
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds opened the discussion in Parliament, recalling MPs to debate the steel bill. He stated,
“We meet under exceptional circumstances to take exceptional action in what are exceptional times.”
Mr Reynolds said recalling Parliament was a serious decision, but he was “genuinely grateful” for MPs returning to approve “emergency legislation in our national interest.”
He stated that the government has been engaged in “good faith” negotiations with British Steel’s owner, Jingye, “working tirelessly” to secure a deal with conditions that safeguard workers and taxpayers’ funds.
Mr Reynolds highlighted the demand for 400,000 tonnes of steel for Heathrow’s expansion and the Universal Studios theme park in Bedford, emphasizing the importance of using UK-made steel.
Mr Reynolds added,
“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.”
He suggested that the Tory Party might regret giving British Steel to Jingye.
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 Andrew Griffith say about the government’s nationalisation plan?
Andrew Griffith, shadow business secretary, criticized the government’s nationalisation proposal, calling it “botched,” and pledged the Opposition would amend the Bill with an expiry date for ministers’ powers.
He told the Commons,
“This is a failure on the Government’s watch, let’s be crystal clear what today means: we are entering a tunnel with only one exit. This is a botched nationalisation plan revealing the Government has no plan.”
Mr Griffith said,
“In government, we acted to secure Port Talbot and were negotiating a plan, including British Steel’s preferred option of an electric arc furnace in Teesside. That would have limited job losses and kept Scunthorpe running in transition.”
According to Mr Griffith, Scunthorpe is being misled into thinking it’s more eco-friendly to ship coke from far away rather than locally, adding,
“And an energy policy that has driven costs higher than any competing nation.”
He slammed Kier Starmer, saying,
“No one is more responsible for this than the Energy Secretary (Ed Miliband) and the Prime Minister who appointed him.”
What did the Liberal Democrat say about Port Talbot Steelworks?
David Chadwick, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesman, stated,
“Where was this scale of action when thousands of job losses were announced at Port Talbot just a few months ago?”
He said,
“While action to save jobs in Scunthorpe is welcome, why has this Labour Government decided communities in England are worth fighting for and those in Wales are not?”
Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS added,
“It is outrageous that Labour was willing to see over 2,000 jobs in Port Talbot and the wider supply chain go forever, but the UK Government acted to save them elsewhere in the country.”
What did Richard Tice say about British Steel and energy costs?
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said he and Nigel Farage
“have been calling for British Steel to be a ‘strategic national corporation’ for some six years.”
He accused the Tories of ignoring advice to prevent the sale of British Steel to the Chinese company Jingye, highlighting the need for long-term investment in the steelworks.
Mr Tice said,
“The problem, as we all know, is that it’s been beset by short-termism, short-term thinking, and of course, by the vast energy costs in this country, partly caused by net-stupid-zero and the carbon tariffs.”
He added,
“We will support this government in this bill today. But there is an opportunity to go further, to be bold, be courageous.”
What does the government’s emergency steel bill include?
- Grants the business secretary control over unused or at-risk steel assets.
- Allows the government to have British Steel enter into contracts and appoint officers.
- Permits the government to direct work and ensure payments for materials and wages.
- Authorizes the government to enter premises with force if necessary.
- Specifies penalties, including up to two years in prison and/or a fine.
- Authorizes funding to implement the bill’s terms.