OPINION

       Keir Starmer announced that a Universal theme park will be opening in 2031 (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

       A "commercial solution" for British Steel is "within reach", says the Government as it looks to nationalise the Chinese-owned business amid fears of an imminent closure. The company, owned by Jingye Group since 2020, revealed its plans to shut two blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in Scunthorpe, putting 2,700 jobs — and many more in the supply chain — at risk after saying it was “no longer financially sustainable”. In fact, the situation is so dire that Jingye warned the company will run out of raw materials within weeks.

       Nationalising British Steel is absolutely the right move. Industrial heartlands are Labour’s bread and butter — and Starmer cannot afford to lose them. But let’s be honest about this: British Steel has been struggling for years. Worse still, the UK’s steel industry is facing 25% tariffs on exports to the US. So, the news of an impending deal is very welcome indeed. Labour’s commitment that steelmaking will “continue to be an important part of our economy for years to come" shouldn’t be taken for granted. But neither should it be cause for celebration. It’s time to address some hard truths.

       Social Security Recipients Under $2,384/Mo Now Entitled To 12 "Kickbacks" In April (Tap for List)Super Saving Online| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Expert reveals the 3 UK industries to be hardest hit by Donald Trump's tariffs

       6 Comments

       Donald Trump sparks major economic war with China over 50% import tariffs

       6 Comments

       Market chaos as FTSE closes at 13-month record low amid mounting trade war

       39 Comments

       The UK city where businesses ‘can't survive' - nearly half shut before they're 5 years old

       3 Comments

       The everyday UK items that will soar under Trump tariffs - from kitchen foil to cars

       85 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence on tax hikes amid Donald Trump tariff chaos

       30 Comments

       Trump adviser loses it on Fox News as he yells over host

       2 Comments

       Ways to Address Prostate Cancer – Must Know Prostate Cancer | Search ads| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch urges Keir Starmer to use Brexit freedoms amid Trump trade war chaos

       289 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues blunt three-word response to Reform-Tory council deals

       37 Comments

       Hearing Aids Are Outdated – Here’s What’s Replacing ThemHear Clearly Again| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer has UK game-changer at his fingertips - he just needs to change one thing

       38 Comments

       Chris Packham sparks fury as he plasters ‘bullying' eco-warrior posters over Tube

       20 Comments

       Temu Clearance SaleTEMU| Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Donald Trump and Ed Miliband are an economic double-whammy for UK

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer is inches away from one huge prize - to get there he must sack Ed Miliband

       76 Comments

       Empowering Your Fitness JourneyNew Fitness Studio| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Sky-High CD Interest Rates Getting Everyone's AttentionSky-High CD Rates | Search Ads| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom| Sponsored Sponsored

       Try Now

       Undo

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       Cat Keeps Watching Over Baby – What Parents Find Out Is Unbelievable!superspacare| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Expert reveals the 3 UK industries to be hardest hit by Donald Trump's tariffs

       6 Comments

       The Subtle Signs of Liver Damage Most People MissSafesipping| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Donald Trump sparks major economic war with China over 50% import tariffs

       6 Comments

       Market chaos as FTSE closes at 13-month record low amid mounting trade war

       39 Comments

       Simple Natural Spray Relieves TinnitusStop Tinnitus| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       The UK city where businesses ‘can't survive' - nearly half shut before they're 5 years old

       3 Comments

       The everyday UK items that will soar under Trump tariffs - from kitchen foil to cars

       85 Comments

       Versatile Utility: Mini Ceramic VasesTopgadgetlife| Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Keir Starmer breaks silence on tax hikes amid Donald Trump tariff chaos

       30 Comments

       Trump adviser loses it on Fox News as he yells over host

       2 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch urges Keir Starmer to use Brexit freedoms amid Trump trade war chaos

       289 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues blunt three-word response to Reform-Tory council deals

       37 Comments

       Keir Starmer has UK game-changer at his fingertips - he just needs to change one thing

       38 Comments

       Chris Packham sparks fury as he plasters ‘bullying' eco-warrior posters over Tube

       20 Comments

       Donald Trump and Ed Miliband are an economic double-whammy for UK

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer is inches away from one huge prize - to get there he must sack Ed Miliband

       76 Comments

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Don't miss...

       Trump's tariffs leave UK construction firm in ￡350k limbo as US buyer withdraws [LATEST]

       Thousands of British Steel jobs at risk with two closures threatened [LATEST]

       The state has mismanaged steel production for decades. This sorry game of hot potato started when the Wilson government nationalised the industry back in 1967, before it was privatised by Thatcher in 1988. It was briefly re-nationalised in 2020 — and then privatised again when it was sold to its current Chinese owners, Jingye. Now, it may be nationalised all over again. Britain may yet set the record for the most ownership changes without fixing a single underlying problem… so perhaps it’s worth holding off any applause.

       Powered By

       10 Sec

       Keir Starmer's visit to Washington previewed by Martyn Brown

       Next

       Stay

       The reality is that manufacturing steel has become hopelessly uncompetitive in the UK — mainly due to high labour costs, but even more so because of sky-high energy prices. British industry faces some of the most expensive energy costs in the world, with power costing 74% more than in the US, and 34% more than in France. And we can thank net zero for that.

       Sponsored

       Okita Nail Fungus Light| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Man Fights Nail Fungus for 15 Years…Until He Found This Device

       Undo

       It’s easy to blame other countries for sabotaging us when we’ve been doing such a great job ourselves. Moreover, with the country closing coal mines, shutting down oil and gas rigs in the North Sea, and imposing green targets on steel mills at lightning speed, it’s hard to see how we could realistically bring energy prices down any time soon.

       Trending

       So yes, the Government may save a few thousand jobs with this latest deal — but only until the next crisis inevitably rolls around. No one seriously thinks reviving British Steel will single-handedly get the economy growing again. However, sinking even more public money into it without meaningful reform would be catastrophically stupid.

       On its own, re-nationalising British Steel is a waste of time — and taxpayers' money. The only way to make it a worthwhile task is to drastically drive down our own energy costs. Key industries must stay alive for national security reasons. Not to mention, the carbon footprint of importing steel is far higher than producing it at home (so much for net zero).

       Meanwhile, forecasts for the steel industry have been grim for some time. Only a week after the last conventional blast furnace closed at Port Talbot in Wales, the industry leaders warned that the outlook was about to get even worse. There are genuine fears of a flood of cheap Chinese steel once current restrictions are lifted in 2026. And with the US and EU busy imposing tariffs, much of Beijing’s excess supply will be dumped on the few remaining open markets — Britain among the biggest.

       Don't miss...

       Trump's tariffs leave UK construction firm in ￡350k limbo as US buyer withdraws [LATEST]

       Nigel Farage issues blunt three-word response to Reform-Tory council deals [LATEST]

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       If we were to retaliate by imposing tariffs of our own, as many have suggested, it would be just as self-defeating. China is more than capable of hitting back — and not against struggling sectors, but against industries that actually turn a profit. Britain exports around ￡30 billion a year to China, with trade growing by 10 per cent annually, especially in financial services, intellectual property, education, and manufacturing. Is it really wise to risk thriving industries in order to prop up ones we’ve spent decades running into the ground?

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Expert reveals the 3 UK industries to be hardest hit by Donald Trump's tariffs

       6 Comments

       Donald Trump sparks major economic war with China over 50% import tariffs

       6 Comments

       Market chaos as FTSE closes at 13-month record low amid mounting trade war

       39 Comments

       The UK city where businesses ‘can't survive' - nearly half shut before they're 5 years old

       3 Comments

       The everyday UK items that will soar under Trump tariffs - from kitchen foil to cars

       85 Comments

       Keir Starmer breaks silence on tax hikes amid Donald Trump tariff chaos

       30 Comments

       Trump adviser loses it on Fox News as he yells over host

       2 Comments

       Chelsea Clinton, 44, Drives Probably the Most Expensive Car in the World.Boite A Scoop| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch urges Keir Starmer to use Brexit freedoms amid Trump trade war chaos

       289 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues blunt three-word response to Reform-Tory council deals

       37 Comments

       9 years ago Most beautiful twins. Their appearance today will shock you.Novelodge| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer has UK game-changer at his fingertips - he just needs to change one thing

       38 Comments

       Chris Packham sparks fury as he plasters ‘bullying' eco-warrior posters over Tube

       20 Comments

       Check Your Credit Score for Free TodayIntuit Credit Karma| Sponsored Sponsored

       Sign Up

       Undo

       Donald Trump and Ed Miliband are an economic double-whammy for UK

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer is inches away from one huge prize - to get there he must sack Ed Miliband

       76 Comments

       Beverly Hills Surgeon Dismantles Skin Hacks - Reveals Simple Wrinkle TruthRadiantatanyage| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Plastic Surgeon’s #1 Method to Support Firmer, Younger-Looking SkinRadiantatanyage| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World: Iguazú FallsMeliá Hotels| Sponsored Sponsored

       Book Now

       Undo

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       How you can start your solar journey for $1/month*Sunrun| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Expert reveals the 3 UK industries to be hardest hit by Donald Trump's tariffs

       6 Comments

       Financial opportunities curated just for you. Intuit Credit Karma| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Donald Trump sparks major economic war with China over 50% import tariffs

       6 Comments

       Market chaos as FTSE closes at 13-month record low amid mounting trade war

       39 Comments

       Prostate Cancer Care – What You Should Know Prostate Cancer | Search ads| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       The UK city where businesses ‘can't survive' - nearly half shut before they're 5 years old

       3 Comments

       The everyday UK items that will soar under Trump tariffs - from kitchen foil to cars

       85 Comments

       Rebuilding Nerves? Nightly Habit to Tackle Neuropathy’s Root CauseHealth Insight Journal| Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer breaks silence on tax hikes amid Donald Trump tariff chaos

       30 Comments

       Trump adviser loses it on Fox News as he yells over host

       2 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch urges Keir Starmer to use Brexit freedoms amid Trump trade war chaos

       289 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues blunt three-word response to Reform-Tory council deals

       37 Comments

       Keir Starmer has UK game-changer at his fingertips - he just needs to change one thing

       38 Comments

       Chris Packham sparks fury as he plasters ‘bullying' eco-warrior posters over Tube

       20 Comments

       Donald Trump and Ed Miliband are an economic double-whammy for UK

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer is inches away from one huge prize - to get there he must sack Ed Miliband

       76 Comments

       Travel expert urges Brits to do this 1 thing now in wake of Trump's tariffs

       1 Comments

       Brexit may spare Britain the worst from Donald trump's tariffs bombshell

       328 Comments

       Trump's trade tariffs will make US poorer again, warns British business boss

       5 Comments

       Scottish whisky maker says Trump's Liberation Day tariffs are a "huge blow"

       3 Comments

       UK households urged to stockpile kitchen tin foil as soon as possible

       25 Comments

       Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump's tariff chaos is a 'new era' and 'world has changed'

       26 Comments

       EU reeling as Trump rejects Von der Leyen deal with ￡280bn tariff demand

       1450 Comments

       Youth Athletes Are Training Differently—Here’s WhyBlazePod

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Three Las Vegas Banks Introduce 5% Interest Rates on Savings (Take A Look)Savings Accounts | Top Search Now

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Pelvic Floor Expert: Best exercises for incontinenceBuff Muff Wellness

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Sandra Bullock, 60, Now Lives Alone In Las VegasSweet Penny Stocks

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       No tariffs will change the damage successive governments have done to our steel industry. It might also be worth mentioning that the first Universal Studios theme park in Europe is to be built in Bedford. Wouldn’t this be a great opportunity for the Government to confirm it will be built using British steel? Starmer must take advantage of this opportunity, and fast.

       Investing in steel isn’t as glamorous as throwing money at AI startups or flying taxis. But it is essential. We should be able to produce basic materials domestically — not for vanity, but for survival.

       If we don't fix the fundamentals now, no amount of state ownership will stop British Steel from sinking for good. The next time a crisis hits, there may be no steel industry left to save.