UK Steel Strategy

Martin Vickers Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Peter Kyle]

I thank my hon. Friend for her thoughtful contribution, which is based on experience. Llanwern has a fierce advocate in my hon. Friend. I hope that she recognises that her campaigning over many years is reflected in the strategy. I can reassure her that this strategy is not the end; it is just the beginning. The investment, transformation and modernisation programme is only just starting.

[Martin Vickers (Brigg and Immingham) (Con)]

Hundreds of my constituents work at the Scunthorpe steelworks, and hundreds more are reliant on the supply chain. They want certainty about their future. Will the Secretary of State give a clear indication of how long he anticipates the existing blast furnaces will be in operation? If the Government’s intention is to build arc furnaces, will they be established in Scunthorpe?

[Peter Kyle]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his thoughtful intervention. He has campaigned on this issue for a long time. I can reassure him that conversations with the owner are ongoing, and that the £2.5 billion that the Government have committed is for the transformation of the sector for a sustainable future. There will be more domestic demand, we will benefit from efficiencies and economies of scale, and we can start to rebuild and re-industrialise the steel sector. That benefits his community and other steel communities up and down the country.