UK Steel Strategy

Alex Barros-Curtis Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

The hon. Member will notice from the steel strategy, which sits alongside the industrial strategy, that place-based investment is incredibly important to this Government. Yesterday, I was in Port Talbot with the First Minister for Wales. When two Governments are aligned in trying to get investment into parts of the country—when two Labour Governments work hand in hand—they deliver for the people of Wales and for people across the United Kingdom.

[Mr Alex Barros-Curtis (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

I refer proudly to my membership of GMB and Unite. I welcome this brilliant announcement and especially the backing of Welsh steel, because Welsh steelmaking is expected to account for half of all future UK steelmaking. As the Secretary of State mentioned, I was proud to recently visit with my Front-Bench colleagues 7 Steel in Cardiff, where we already have an electric arc furnace. Does the Secretary of State agree that the steel strategy from this Labour Government marks a welcome departure after the years of failure to have a strategy by Conservative Governments—and, let us not forget, the coalition Government—who repeatedly left this vital industry on the brink of collapse?

[Peter Kyle]

My hon. Friend’s analysis is absolutely correct, and he has been a tireless advocate ever since he joined this place. It is correct to say that we have invested and are investing in steel in Wales, but we are also investing in modernising the economy and infrastructure of Wales. The creation of two AI growth zones sits alongside the work we are doing on steel and other areas of infrastructure in Wales. Again, it demonstrates two Labour Governments working together for the benefit of the people of Wales. It works, and he is part of that, for which I am grateful.