Protecting Steel in the UK

Mark Tami Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jonathan Reynolds]

I intend to make the case today that the UK steel industry could have a strong future, but that requires a much better approach than the one we have seen so far.

[Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab)]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Jonathan Reynolds]

I am cautious of doing so given the warning about time, but I will give way as I know my right hon. Friend has a significant interest in this.

[Mark Tami]

I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. He will be aware that I have the privilege of representing Shotton steelworks, and he has been there with me to see the high-quality products made in that profitable plant, but in order to carry on it needs to recruit and retain quality employees. What we have seen, however, is a Government who do not care, and if that message gets through to the workforce we are not going to retain those skills.

[Jonathan Reynolds]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for Industry and Economic Security (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

First, I want to express my sympathies for the employees of Tata Steel during what is undoubtedly a difficult, tumultuous time. I recognise that Tata Steel’s recent announcement means significant uncertainty and upheaval, not just for them but for their families, the people of Port Talbot and other impacted sites.

Port Talbot is built on steel, and the community is proud of its industry and its workforce. After the news from Tata Steel on Friday, the people of Port Talbot are looking to the Government to provide some much-needed stability and as much certainty as possible. My focus, and that of my Secretary of State, my Government and the Secretary of State for Wales, has been to ensure that steelmaking continues at Port Talbot. I want to assure the House that the Government are committed to that, working very closely with Tata Steel—the decision maker—and the Welsh Government to support those affected as much as possible.

The hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Jonathan Reynolds) talked about a plan, but there was no plan. He talked about honesty, but the honest truth is that the motion is fundamentally performative politics and a major disappointment. The risk was losing steelmaking at Port Talbot, or helping it to transition to cleaner, greener steel.

[Mark Tami]

Shotton can use imported steel from India, but that is not a long-term alternative. Importing steel from halfway around the world, rolling it, taking it up to north Wales and then exporting it to Europe does not have a green footprint. Does the Minister accept that? How long will it be before the arc furnace is actually built?