Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what consultation was undertaken with downstream steel-using industries before the decision to reduce tariff-free steel import quotas and increase safeguard tariffs from 1 July 2026; whether a full economic impact assessment was produced; and if he will publish any analysis of the expected effects on manufacturing output, business investment and employment.

The Government held extensive consultations with both primary steel producers and downstream users to inform development of the trade measure, including a Call for Evidence in July 2025. We will continue engaging regularly with companies across the supply chain, through Ministerial and official level engagement, and will monitor implementation of the measure. This includes conducting a review after 12 months to ensure it remains effective and that the balance is right for both producers and downstream users.