16 July 2026
British Steel has today (16 July 2026) been brought into public ownership, protecting thousands of jobs and securing the future of steelmaking in Britain, after Labour MPs passed legislation allowing the Government to intervene in the national interest.
Speaking in Parliament today, Luke Myer MP welcomed the decision on behalf of British Steel workers at Special Profiles in Skinningrove and Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby. He said Teessiders knew the consequences of governments standing back while steel jobs disappeared, and thanked ministers for acting to preserve both jobs and Britain’s ability to make steel. Luke also pressed the Government on the next major challenge facing the industry: high industrial energy costs. Responding, Minister Blair McDougall pointed to support already being delivered through the British Industry Supercharger, increased network charging compensation and the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, while confirming that reducing costs and investing in modernisation would be a priority for British Steel’s new board.
Today’s decision follows the Labour Government’s emergency intervention in April 2025 to take control of British Steel to prevent the closure of the blast furnaces and the loss of around 2,700 jobs across both Teesside and Scunthorpe. Since then, Labour has published the first national Steel Strategy, backed the industry with up to £2.5 billion, introduced stronger trade protections against cheap imports, and set an ambition for up to half of the steel used in Britain to be made in Britain.
Luke, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Steel and Metals-Related Industries, has consistently championed the steel industry in Parliament, warning that steel is “not a sunset industry” but a strategic national asset vital for economic security, defence, clean energy and manufacturing. Last year, he demanded “big fiscal choices” and “strong national intervention to protect our steel industry” (Hansard, February/March 2025), and the then Secretary of State credited his advocacy during the passage of last year’s legislation. He has also regularly pressed ministers on energy costs, trade protections, procurement in defence, energy and hydrogen, and investment in Teesside steelmaking, as well as bringing industry leaders, unions and ministers together in Parliament.
Luke Myer MP said:
“Teessiders know what happens when governments stand back and allow steelmaking to collapse. The closure of Redcar tore a hole through our region, cost thousands of jobs and left scars that remain today.
“This Government has chosen a different path. By bringing British Steel into public ownership, it has protected primary steelmaking, safeguarded jobs and given the company the chance to modernise and build a sustainable future.
“But saving the industry is only the beginning. We now need to tackle industrial energy costs, invest in modern technology and make sure British steel is used to build British infrastructure, defence and clean energy projects.
“Steel built communities like ours, and communities like ours helped build Britain. I will keep fighting for workers at Skinningrove, Lackenby and across our steel supply chain.”
British Steel Interim CEO Allan Bell said:
“This is a momentous day for British Steel, and everyone connected with our business – our dedicated employees, our valued customers and suppliers, and the tens of thousands of people in our supply chains and local communities. Much more than that, it is an historic day for Britain and UK manufacturing – one which safeguards our future and strengthens national security and infrastructure.
“We are grateful to the UK Government for the decisive action it has taken, and the support it has given our business – and our people – during such a challenging period. Together, we look to the future with great optimism and will work together to make the world-class steel Britain needs now and for decades to come.”
Community Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss CBE said:
“We at Community offer our thanks to this Government for passing this important piece of legislation, which will help to secure the long-term future of the UK’s steel sector.
“Steel is the lifeblood of so many communities in the UK and this new law will help to safeguard thousands of jobs, ensuring greater stability in an industry which has had to weather many storms in recent years.”