Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Steel Industry

Thursday 25 January 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister and Chancellor meet regularly to discuss fiscal steps to support the steel industry.
  • Over 500m has been invested in the Port Talbot steel site to protect jobs and the local economy.
  • Government emphasizes working closely with Tata Steel to protect steelworkers and ensure strategic importance of steelmaking in the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the fiscal steps to support the steel industry, citing recent discussions and potential impacts on jobs in Port Talbot.

Question

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on taking fiscal steps to help support the steel industry. The steel sector is crucial for UK economy; without £500m investment, 8,000 jobs at Port Talbot and 12,500 in supply chain would be at risk.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

The Chancellor and I meet regularly. We know the importance of the steel sector; we are investing over £500m in Port Talbot site. More than £100m has been provided for affected employees and local economy, with Tata providing additional £130m support.

Answered
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Q2 Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP questions the conditions attached to the £500m investment given to Tata Steel, suggesting it was an empty bluff.

Question

Ministers keep spinning this line that Tata Steel was threatening to close down the Port Talbot works and walk away; they know dismantling costs were vast. Is the £500m taxpayers' money given without conditions? Was PM giving green light for 2,800 redundancies?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

Steelworkers should know we are working together. We work closely on protecting steelworkers as much as possible, rejecting claims that it would be better to risk losing UK steelmaking and managing site costs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether the £500m was given without conditions for redundancies.

How: We Are Working Together

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Q3 Holly Mumby-Croft
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asks about ensuring the Treasury understands the strategic importance of a virgin steelmaking capability in the UK.

Question

Will the Minister ensure her conversations with the Treasury understand the vital strategic importance of a virgin steelmaking capability here in the UK?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

We are working hard with companies like Tata Steel in Scunthorpe, and we understand how important virgin steelmaking is. Technology has advanced so that 90% of all steel can now be made in electric arc furnaces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on strategic importance discussions with Treasury

How: We Are Working Hard

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Q4 Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP references a Daily Telegraph article questioning the Government's minimalist plan for UK steel and proposes an industrial policy.

Question

Mr Speaker: The UK steel industry, trade unions, and Labour are proposing an industrial policy worthy of a serious industrial country. Is it correct?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

Labour's £28 billion proposal has no plan behind it; we are saving 5,000 jobs at Port Talbot. Customers want cleaner steel, and Port Talbot cannot function with its ageing blast furnaces under our package.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on adequacy of Government's minimalist plan

How: Our Package Will Save Jobs

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