Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has been made of the (a) impact of potential severe disruption in the global supply chain for steel on the economy and (b) importance of the UK steel industry to the UK's economic security.

We actively monitor global trade in steel and potential risks to supply chains, and we are fully aware of the difficult conditions and structural overcapacity that are currently facing the global steel industry.

Along with considering a wide range of data on international markets, we are active participants in a number of international fora, that are focused on ensuring consistent and secure supplies of steel. This includes the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Steel Committee and the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity.

Steel is a fundamental material across a wide range of manufacturing and construction sectors. The Government recognises the vital role the UK steel sector provides in the UK economy.