The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Committee has today published the Government’s response
(Ctrl+click to follow link to pdf) to the BEIS Committee’s
Liberty Steel & the future of the UK steel industry report
(which was published on 5th November 2021).
Liberty Steel & the
future of the UK steel industry: Government Response to the
Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2021–22 (HC 1030,
published on 20 January 2021)
(Please note: In the Government response - the BEIS Committee’s
original report recommendations are in bold
type, the Government response is in plain type.)
Commenting on the Government’s response published today,
, 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, 5thNovember
2021
The BEIS Committee report (also see
news item) 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.
