The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee publishes the Government’s response to the BEIS Committee’s Liberty Steel & the future of the UK steel industry report, which was published on 5th November 2021.
- Read the Government response [HTML]
- Read the Government response [PDF]
- Liberty Steel and the Future of the UK Steel Industry
- Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
Chair's comment
Commenting on the Government’s response published today, Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said:
“It is disappointing that the Government has resorted to simply restating many of its existing policies rather than taking the opportunity to provide strategic direction and a supportive policy environment for the UK steel industry. Action on long-standing issues such as energy prices is urgently needed to ensure the steel industry in the UK has a viable future. I urge the Government to think again and bring forward a steel sector deal to help UK producers compete internationally and enable the steel industry to transition to a low-carbon future.”
Background: BEIS Committee report, Liberty Steel & the future of the UK steel industry, 5th November 2021
The BEIS Committee report said that the steel sector cannot continue to lurch from crisis to crisis and action is needed for the UK to retain a resilient and competitive domestic industry.
The report made a series of recommendations to help tackle long-running challenges, including those from high energy prices and barriers to supplying steel for major public projects, and recommended a strategic plan and supportive policy measures to decarbonise the industry and protect jobs.
The Committee’s report also urged the Government to consider formalising a fit and proper person test for private company directors within any future steel sector deal and that a review be undertaken to consider the systemic risks associated with high-risk financial practices in the steel sector.
