British Steel could be snapped by a Chinese owner, says minister

British Steel could be snapped by a Chinese owner, the minister for industry said today.

Sarah Jones revealed that the government is considering all options for the long-term future of the company and its plant at Scunthrope.

Jones was asked on Tuesday morning if the Government was ruling out the possibility of another Chinese partner for the plant.

She told Sky News: “Well, we are not at the moment. I am not going to say yes or no to anything that isn’t at the moment on the table or being looked at.

“Whatever the future for Scunthorpe, we want to make sure we can keep primary steel-making, we can keep steel making in our country and we can grow that industry, not see the continued decline that we have had over recent years.”

Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, who is visiting the port in Immingham today, said: “We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.

“Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.”