Martin welcomed news of the conditional agreement between Tata and Greybull Capital over Scunthorpe Tata Steel works – which ensures the security of 4000 jobs. During today's UK Steel Industry debate, Martin asked the Business Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, to expand on assurances that British steel will be procured for public sector infrastructure and construction projects. Martin's full contribution, and the minister’s response, can be seen below.
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement and commend the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise for her tireless work in keeping me and my neighbouring colleagues in north Lincolnshire up to date about the Scunthorpe situation. I also commend the workforce at Scunthorpe for the extremely responsible approach that they have taken. Will my right hon. Friend elaborate on how he will ensure that public sector infrastructure and construction projects actually use British-manufactured steel?
Sajid Javid
I join my hon. Friend in welcoming the news today about Scunthorpe and Tata long products. That is 4,000 jobs secured, which is obviously hugely welcome news and a vote of confidence in the British steel industry. He asks about the pipeline and procurement and how we can ensure that more of it is British. The changes that we have already made to procurement rules, where economic and social factors can be taken into account, will help to achieve just that. At the same time, with the large industrial infrastructure projects down the line, we can also help by giving steel manufacturers a lot more visibility, and that is exactly what we are looking at through the steel council.
You can watch the debate here.