Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, Apr 25, 2025

UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat

Emergency legislation enacted to preserve nation's last primary steelmaking facility and safeguard 2,700 jobs
On April 12, 2025, the UK Parliament convened for a rare Saturday session to pass the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.

This emergency legislation grants the government authority to direct operations at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, the country's sole remaining facility capable of producing virgin steel from raw materials.

The intervention follows the Chinese-owned Jingye Group's decision to halt procurement of essential inputs like iron ore and coking coal, citing daily losses of £700,000.

Jingye also rejected a £500 million government support offer and began liquidating existing raw material inventories, actions that threatened an irreversible shutdown of the blast furnaces.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining domestic steel production, noting that the loss of the Scunthorpe facility would render the UK the only G7 nation without primary steelmaking capabilities.

The government has allocated £2.5 billion for steel sector support, with nationalization remaining a potential outcome if no private investors emerge.

In response to concerns over potential sabotage, steelworkers at the Scunthorpe site reportedly blocked Jingye executives from accessing critical areas of the plant.

Government officials have since taken over day-to-day operations to ensure continuity of production and employment for approximately 2,700 workers.

The passage of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act marks the first time Parliament has been recalled for a Saturday sitting since the Falklands War in 1982.

The legislation empowers the government to compel steel companies to continue operations deemed in the public interest, with penalties for non-compliance including potential imprisonment.

As part of the emergency measures, the Royal Navy has been placed on standby to escort shipments of coking coal to the Scunthorpe plant, ensuring the furnaces remain operational during this critical period.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Intelligence Chief Refers Classified Leak Cases to Justice Department
U.S. Justice Department and DOGE Announce Cuts to Federal Grants Amid Broader Government Efficiency Efforts
Trump administration moves to BAN essentially ALL artificial food dyes in the USA food supply at RFK Jr.'s direction
Woman slaps man at sports game and gets herself and husband beat up
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
The legacy media will never show you this side of President Trump
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
Greek Christians Celebrate Easter in Thessaloníki
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela Amid Deportation Controversy
US Government Defends Deportation of Salvadoran National Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
A casino in Mexico burns at the hands of cartels
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Alphabet Faces Antitrust Setbacks as Federal Judges Rule Against Google
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
Britain, as is well known, was never truly a democracy, but today it has even stopped bothering to pretend that it is
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
US Billionaires Call for Higher Taxes, but Proposed 'Millionaires Tax' May Not Achieve Desired Outcome
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Designed in US, made in China: Why Apple is stuck in tariff tussle
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
US Government to Reclassify Career Employees Working on Policy Matters
U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban
NBA Coach Steve Kerr Backs Harvard Amid Trump Administration's Federal Funding Freeze
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
US-China Trade War: Trump Expects 'Very Good Deal' Amid Escalating Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
US Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Rapid Deportation Policy
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
China's Largest iPhone Factory Resumes Hiring After Tariff Exemption
×