MPs will be recalled to the House of Commons to discuss the future of British Steel on Saturday. The rare weekend sitting will take place to debate the uncertain future of British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant.
Jingye, the Chinese owner of the British Steel, plans to close the blast furnaces and switch to a greener form of production. Ministers have said all options are on the table for its future, including nationalisation, over concerns its closure would leave the UK without any domestic virgin steel makers.
In an indication of how serious the Government is taking the issue, it is the first time the Commons has been recalled since August 18, 2021 when MPs returned to Parliament to debate the situation in Afghanistan.
The Saturday sitting will begin at 11am, when MPs will debate “legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded”, according to the office of Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker.
In a letter to MPs, Sir Lindsay said he was satisfied the “public interest” requires the recall.
