British Steel Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Wednesday 8th November 2023

(6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nusrat Ghani Portrait Ms Ghani
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I do not, because it was a plan or proposal put out by British Steel. We have not concluded negotiations.

Mike Amesbury Portrait Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) (Lab)
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This is a question of national security. It is not just a commercial decision. A specific question was asked of the Minister by the shadow Secretary of State on job losses specifically in Scunthorpe. Is that figure of 2,000 correct?

Nusrat Ghani Portrait Ms Ghani
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Negotiations have not concluded. We are continuing to be in intensive talks with British Steel. We wish to provide the support that is needed to support the steel sector and steel jobs but negotiations will continue. We need to make sure that due diligence is done and that we get value for money for taxpayers, whose money we are going to put on the table. But look at what we achieved at Port Talbot—a sector that was unable to confirm its future until we provided it with the financial support that it needed.