Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Steel Industry

Wednesday 15 January 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State is meeting with ministerial colleagues, Labour members, unions, and management to address steel industry issues in Wales.
  • The UK Government provided 53 million in compensation to help reduce energy prices for the steel industry.
  • The Secretary of State encourages addressing business rates and suggests Welsh Government can assist with providing certainty for the steel industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport East
Wales Business & Trade
Context

Liberty Steel is cutting 72 jobs in Newport, and the Orb steelworks were mothballed at Christmas.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues on the future of the steel industry in Wales given the job cuts and plant closures?

Answer from Simon Hart

The process is already happening. The Secretary of State is sitting down not only with ministerial colleagues but also with Labour colleagues, unions, and management to address the issues. He acknowledges the impact, uncertainty, and worry caused by current circumstances and stresses the shared responsibility with the Welsh Government to steady the situation.

Answered
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Q2 Christina Rees Lab Neath
Wales Energy
Context

Welsh Government Economy Minister Ken Skates has asked the UK Government to intervene more directly on energy prices.

Question

Given the Welsh Government's request, will the Secretary of State use his voice in Cabinet to call for intervention on reducing energy prices?

Answer from Simon Hart

The UK Government made £53 million available by way of compensation for energy prices. The Secretary of State encourages addressing business rates and suggests that Welsh Government can help with certainty around steel through this route.

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