In Parliament today I called on the UK Government to bring forward a steel sector deal as part of a robust and positive industrial strategy.

Speaking during the Urgent Question on British Steel in the Commons today, I said: “Today we are rightly talking about British Steel and the strong action needed to save the company. Surely the Minister understands that the situation makes it even more crucial that we have a robust and positive industrial strategy, with steel as a key part, and a sector deal. That is what steelworkers at Orb, Llanwern and Liberty in my constituency want. When will the Government act?”

BEIS Minister Andrew Stephenson responded by saying that the Government ‘remained open’ to a steel sector deal to support the industry.

Today Labour’s Shadow Steel Minister Gill Furniss rightly highlighted that the steel industry is critical to the UK’s manufacturing base, and that protecting the industry should be of paramount importance to the Government. I have been calling on the Government to introduce a comprehensive steel sector for some time, and in these uncertain times – typified by the growing concerns about the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe – the need to act has become more pressing. Ministers cannot keep kicking the can down the road.