Saturday, March 29, 2025
UK Lawmakers Approve Emergency Rescue Plan for British Steel in Rare Saturday Session
London, April 12, 2025 — In a rare emergency session held during their Easter recess, UK lawmakers returned to Parliament on Saturday to approve a vital rescue package for British Steel — the country’s last remaining steel plant that manufactures steel from raw materials.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the unusual Saturday sitting, only the sixth of its kind since World War II, to fast-track legislation aimed at preventing the shutdown of the Scunthorpe plant’s two key blast furnaces. The facility, located in northern England, is owned by China’s Jingye Group and is critical to the UK’s steelmaking capabilities.
The new bill grants sweeping powers to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, allowing him to intervene directly in British Steel’s operations. These powers include directing the company’s board, securing payment for the 3,000-strong workforce, and authorizing the purchase of essential raw materials to keep production going.
Jingye has argued that the Scunthorpe plant is hemorrhaging money — reportedly losing £700,000 ($910,000) daily due to tough market conditions and rising environmental costs. The situation has been further strained by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose a 25% tariff on imported steel, impacting global demand and prices.
The emergency legislation signals the government’s strong intent to safeguard British industrial infrastructure and protect thousands of jobs amid a turbulent global market.
