Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The steel industry in Wolverhampton North East is a significant part of the local heritage, and there are concerns about its future stability. The industry has faced declines in recent years.
The steel industry is an important part of Wolverhampton North East’s heritage and must remain a part of our future. Will my hon. Friend outline how the £2.5 billion UK steel strategy and the new steel council will boost competitiveness and secure jobs at Tata’s Steelpark in Wednesfield, which is the UK’s largest processing and distribution centre?
I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for her community and protecting her industry. I would be happy to have a conversation with her about the changes she thinks we need to make. Steel output in the UK fell by 49% in 2021, by 30% in 2022 and by 11% in 2023—what an awful thing to have happened to our industry. We need to turn that around. We do not underestimate how hard that will be, but we are putting in place the money, the policies and the Government dedication to ensure that we support a thriving steel industry.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific details of how £2.5 billion strategy and new steel council will benefit Tata’s Steelpark were not provided.
We Do Not Underestimate How Hard That Will Be, But We Are Putting In Place The Money, The Policies And The Government Dedication To Ensure That We Support A Thriving Steel Industry.
Response accuracy