Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Steel Import Tariffs

Thursday 15 April 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Marion Fellows inquired about the decline of steel jobs in Scotland and requested support for steelworkers.
  • The UK Government stated that the Trade Remedies Authority will conclude its investigation once it is set up, aiming to support British businesses and jobs across the UK.
  • Bill Esterson questioned the need for leadership, stability, and support for the British steel industry amid the collapse of Greensill Capital affecting Liberty Steel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marion Fellows SNP
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Steel production in Motherwell has declined drastically from thousands of jobs to just over 100 due to consecutive UK Government policies.

Question

Motherwell in my constituency was once the heart of steel production in Scotland and the rest of the UK, but consecutive UK Governments have overseen the decline of steel jobs in Scotland from thousands to just over 100. Will the UK Government provide certainty for steelworkers today, support domestic production, protect those remaining jobs and retain the tariffs on steel imports?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

When the Trade Remedies Authority is set up, it will conclude its investigation, which it would be wrong to pre-empt. We are of course working for every corner of our United Kingdom, backing British businesses and supporting Scottish jobs as much as we are supporting those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland—at a time when the Scottish National party wants to cut itself off from its largest market: the British internal market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will not hesitate to take firm action where necessary but does not provide certainty about retaining tariffs for the full financial year ahead without ifs, buts or maybes as requested

How: Working For Every Corner Of Our United Kingdom, Backing British Businesses

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Q2 Marion Fellows SNP
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Steel production in Motherwell has declined drastically from thousands of jobs to just over 100 due to consecutive UK Government policies.

Question

Motherwell in my constituency was once the heart of steel production in Scotland and the rest of the UK, but consecutive UK Governments have overseen the decline of steel jobs in Scotland from thousands to just over 100. Will the UK Government provide certainty for steelworkers today, support domestic production, protect those remaining jobs and retain the tariffs on steel imports?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

When the Trade Remedies Authority is set up, it will conclude its investigation, which it would be wrong to pre-empt. We are of course working for every corner of our United Kingdom, backing British businesses and supporting Scottish jobs as much as we are supporting those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland—at a time when the Scottish National party wants to cut itself off from its largest market: the British internal market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will not hesitate to take firm action where necessary but does not provide certainty about retaining tariffs for the full financial year ahead without ifs, buts or maybes as requested

How: Working For Every Corner Of Our United Kingdom, Backing British Businesses

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Business & Trade
Context

The collapse of Greensill Capital has created serious problems at Liberty Steel, and the entire British steel industry now urgently needs leadership, stability and support from the Government.

Question

I am afraid the 5,000 workers at Liberty Steel will not have been reassured by the Minister's answer. The collapse of Greensill Capital has created serious problems at Liberty Steel and is one of many reasons why the entire British steel industry now urgently needs leadership, stability and support from the Government. Can we get some clarity? Retaining the import tariffs is a political decision. Will the Minister play his part today by guaranteeing that the Government will retain the vital safeguard tariffs that Britain currently has in place against cheap steel imports for the full financial year ahead—no ifs, no buts and no maybes?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I do love the authenticity with which the hon. Gentleman asked his question; of course, if it were a political decision, he would be calling for it to be independent. It is an independent decision. The Trade Remedies Authority has teeth and will act accordingly. Just like this Government, our Trade Remedies Authority is going to defend the British national industry, back British jobs and support people throughout our United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will not hesitate to take firm action where necessary but does not provide a guarantee about retaining tariffs for the full financial year ahead without ifs, buts or maybes as requested

How: An Independent Decision, The Trade Remedies Authority Has Teeth

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