MPs to Vote on Emergency Bill Granting Government Control of British Steel
Parliament is set to vote today on emergency legislation that would give the Government authority over British Steel, as nationalisation plans move forward.
In a rare move, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords will return from Easter recess for a Saturday sitting to debate the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill. The proposed law is designed to block British Steel’s Chinese owner, Jingye, from shutting down blast furnaces at the company’s Scunthorpe plant.
The emergency measures would allow the Government to supply raw materials to keep the site operational and pave the way for a potential transfer of ownership. Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the company’s future is “hanging in the balance.”
While ministers are seeking a private partner to support a longer-term transition, immediate intervention is seen as necessary to prevent a shutdown and protect thousands of jobs.
The Commons is scheduled to convene at 11am, with the Lords following at midday. This marks the first Saturday recall of Parliament since 1982, when MPs returned in response to the Falklands War.
In a letter to MPs, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he was satisfied the recall was in the “public interest” due to the urgent nature of the legislation.
Jingye, which acquired British Steel in 2020, claims it has invested over £1.2 billion to maintain operations despite “significant” financial losses—reportedly around £700,000 per day.
If passed, the Bill would empower ministers to direct British Steel’s board and workforce, secure the supply of essential materials, and protect workers who act to keep the plant running—ensuring they can be reinstated if dismissed for defying company orders.
Scunthorpe Blast Furnaces Were Days from Closure, Says Minister
Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces were just days away from shutting down if the Government hadn’t stepped in, the industry minister has revealed.
Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon West, confirmed that emergency legislation will be passed today during Parliament’s first Saturday recall since 1982.
Speaking to GB News, she warned: “Without the raw materials, it’s only a matter of time before the blast furnace is inoperable.”
When asked if closure could have happened within days, she replied: “Yes.”
