MPs have been recalled to Parliament for a historic emergency vote as Sir Keir Starmer has warned that British national security is “on the line”.
After the owner of the company’s Scunthorpe plant admitted that the site was no longer sustainable, the Prime Minister has warned that its future “hangs in the balance” – along with the fates of its 3,500 employees.
Starmer has since assured the nation that policy will be sped through both chambers so that the Government can “take control of the plant and preserve all viable options”.
The legislation will seek to block the company’s Chinese owners Jingye from shutting down the blast furnaces at the Lincolnshire plant, plunging thousands of workers into unemployment.
The move comes after Jingye cancelled all orders to send over iron ore, coal and other raw materials – all central ingredients to keep the furnaces running.
The last time lawmakers were summoned back to the Palace of Westminster was in August 18 2021 when they debated legislation on Afghanistan.
The legislation will grant the Government “the power to direct steel companies in England, which we will use to protect the Scunthorpe site,” No10 has confirmed.
The debate will commence at 11am in the House of Commons, the day after lawmakers were pulled back from Easter recess.
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Scunthorpe plant faced closure within days without emergency intervention, industry minister warns
The Scunthorpe plant would have faced total closure within days if Keir Starmer had not recalled Parliament to give the green light to emergency legislation, the industry minister warned.
Sarah Jones told GB News: “Without the raw materials, it’s only a matter of time before the blast furnace is inoperable.”
When she was questioned if this could have happened within days, she responded: “Yes.”
Nigel Farage demands immediate nationalisation of British Steel as he slaps Starmer with damning accusation
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Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage has demanded the immediate nationalisation of British Steel, adding that his party would table an amendment to bring the issue to debate today.
The Clacton MP dubbed Starmer’s bill as simply a “short-term sticking plaster”.
At the same time, Farage slapped Keir Starmer with a damning indictment, labelling him a “fraud”.
He said: “He couldn’t care less about British industry, he is committed to net zero.”