House of Commons to Be Recalled for Emergency Debate on British Steel Nationalisation
Sources have confirmed that Parliament will be recalled on Saturday to discuss the potential nationalisation of British Steel. The urgent move follows the breakdown of talks aimed at keeping two blast furnaces operational at the company’s Scunthorpe plant, which Chinese firm Jingye owns.
MPs will return from Easter recess for an emergency sitting of the House of Commons at 11am to consider bringing British Steel’s assets into public ownership to safeguard the future of UK steel production.
The recall comes amid growing fears that the Scunthorpe plant could effectively shut down within 10 days, following union warnings that Chinese owner Jingye has cancelled orders for essential raw materials, including iron ore and coking coal.
British Steel is a key supplier of rail track across the UK, and the government has been working to secure a deal to keep the Scunthorpe site running.
The debate comes as the UK steel industry braces for further pressure. President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on steel exports to the United States.
This would mark the first recall of Parliament since 2021, when MPs convened to debate the chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Since 1948, Parliament has only been recalled 34 times. Notably, this will be the first Saturday recall since 1982, during the Falklands War.
