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Mr Pritchard, it is a pleasure to see you in the Chair. The UK steel industry's strategic importance has been emphasised throughout the debate by all members who have spoken. Bill Esterson highlighted the economic and national security value of domestic steel production, citing recent geopolitical events such as Putin's invasion. He stressed the need for strong domestic supply chains and the critical role of steel in transitioning to low carbon emissions. The MP mentioned 185 workers at risk due to redundancies at Liberty Steel and criticised the government's response to previous crises like SSI and Redcar, arguing for stronger Cabinet-level involvement with trade unions. The speaker interjects briefly, suggesting that meeting with unions is necessary for addressing issues in the steel industry.
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The MP intervened to agree with the lead speaker, highlighting the need for a long-term plan that supports steel and its role in decarbonisation efforts. He also emphasized the importance of procurement policies that prioritize UK-made steel.
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Steel is vital for Neath Port Talbot and Wales. Over 2,000 jobs have been lost since 2014 due to global competition and rising energy prices. The UK's steel industry is declining compared to other top economies. Labour proposes a green steel renewal fund to secure the future of steel in the UK.
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The MP intervened to express concern about the impact of high carbon costs on steel companies' ability to invest in decarbonisation and called for a carbon border adjustment mechanism. She also echoed concerns about procurement policies failing to prioritize UK-made steel.
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Stressed the importance of Scunthorpe's steelworks, which supports 20,000 jobs and pays roughly 45% more than the average job in Yorkshire and Humberside. Emphasized that a dependable supply of high-quality British steel is vital for growth, defence, and tackling modern challenges like climate change.
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Congratulated the hon. Member for Newport East on securing the debate, highlighting the importance of refractory ceramics in steelmaking and the need for additional support from the Government to invest in energy efficiency measures.
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Jim Shannon supports the steel industry and highlights issues related to the Northern Ireland protocol, which imposes a 25% tariff on British steel imports into Northern Ireland. He argues that this impacts the local construction sector and businesses dependent on British steel. Mr Shannon intervened mentioning the contract for warships benefiting Harland and Wolff in Belfast. However, he noted that buying British steel was 25% more expensive due to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
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Proposed a closed-loop cycle using floating offshore wind and contracts for difference to support renewable energy hubs with multiple technologies, and asked the Minister to clarify how such projects could be linked and supported.
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Ms Fellows highlighted the continuous steel crisis since her entry to Parliament in 2015, noting that despite efforts like the steel charter, no fundamental change has occurred. She praised the Scottish Government for saving Dalzell works and discussed the importance of a forward-looking strategy for UK steel production. Ms Fellows also addressed energy costs and tariffs from the US as major issues affecting the industry.
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Stressed the importance of a long-term plan for the steel industry to ensure sustainable future investment and warned about the potential loss of industry confidence if action is not taken promptly.
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The tin-plate industry in Llanelli is crucial for local employment and product diversification. Concerned about the future of UK steelmaking due to ageing capacity and global decarbonisation efforts, Griffith calls for a clear industrial strategy to support research, innovation, and production. She also highlights the need for energy cost parity, public procurement commitment to UK-produced steel, and WTO-compliant protection against state-subsidised imports.
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The UK steel industry employs 34,500 people directly and supports an additional 43,000 in supply chains. It contributes £2.4 billion to GDP annually. Liberty Steel announced 440 redundancies across its UK businesses, citing soaring energy costs as a major factor. The Government has provided support for the steel industry, but there is a lack of a cohesive strategy. The speaker calls on the Minister to present a comprehensive national plan to secure the future of this vital sector.
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Highlighted the role of green energy industries in supporting steel production, welcomed an agreement between RWE and Tata regarding Welsh steel use in offshore wind projects, and emphasized the need for government support to ensure British-made steel is central in these developments. Disputes the narrative that the UK Government neglected the steel industry over the past 12 years, highlighting active support from various Ministers and Departments. Emphasises the need for difficult decisions when balancing taxpayer responsibility with company demands. Advocates for British Steel's role in new green technologies and highlights a bid by Port Talbot and Milford Haven for a freeport to support floating offshore wind projects.
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Acknowledged the critical role of steel in various industries, expressed frustration over inconsistent government action on competitive energy pricing, and emphasized the need for long-term investment.
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Steel is vital for the UK's green economy, contributing to infrastructure development like railways and zero-carbon homes. However, producing steel with coal contributes significantly to climate change, accounting for 5% of EU carbon emissions and 7% globally. The Government approved a new coalmine in West Cumbria, but it will likely export most of the coal produced there, rather than support the UK's steel industry.