UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers
House of CommonsThe UK government is taking control of Chinese-owned British Steel after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament in a single day.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told MPs the government's likely next step would be to nationalise the Scunthorpe plant, which employs 2,700 people.
But he said he was forced to seek emergency powers to prevent owners Jingye shutting down its two blast furnaces, which would have ended primary steel production in the UK.
MPs and peers were called back from their Easter holidays to debate the legislation in an extremely rare Saturday sitting of both houses of Parliament. It has now received Royal Assent after being passed by the Commons and Lords.
Royal Navy on alert to escort shipment in steel crisis
Ministers could send the Royal Navy to escort a fuel shipment to Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces after parliament voted to seize control of British Steel to ensure its survival.
A senior source said the government was considering the extraordinary move to ensure the cargo reached the UK without being intercepted or redirected.
The location and details of the cargo have not been confirmed but it is said to be coking coal — vital to keeping the furnaces running.
Without securing fresh supplies, the furnaces at the steelworks, owned by the Chinese firm Jingye, would burn out and be almost impossible to turn back on. This would kill the UK’s last domestic source of “virgin” steel, predominantly used to build rail tracks but also vital for Britain’s construction and automotive industries.
The Ministry of Defence said no decision had been taken on the navy’s involvement and it is unclear whether ministers have made a formal request.
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