Parliament is set to return from its Easter break on Saturday in a rare move to address the urgent crisis surrounding British Steel, as talks continue to prevent the closure of its blast furnaces and the potential loss of thousands of jobs.
The emergency session will focus on whether to bring the struggling Scunthorpe-based company into public ownership. With no other domestic producer of virgin steel, British Steel’s future is considered critical to the country’s industrial capabilities. The Chinese-owned firm, Jingye, has proposed shutting down the blast furnaces and switching to greener production methods, raising fears of a complete halt to traditional steelmaking in the UK.
The government has not ruled out nationalisation and is under mounting pressure from unions, local leaders, and opposition politicians to act quickly. Ministers have been holding frequent talks with executives from Jingye and British Steel, hoping to find a middle ground that keeps the furnaces operating while planning for greener alternatives.
Saturday’s recall is the first time since 1982 that Parliament has returned on a Saturday outside of wartime emergencies. MPs have been told to be available for a potential vote on emergency legislation aimed at securing the plant’s operations. Labour MPs in particular have been asked to confirm their availability as government whips prepare for a key decision.
The session will begin at 11am, with MPs expected to debate legislation to safeguard British Steel’s production. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved the recall, citing the national interest as justification for the extraordinary step.
The steelworkers’ union has welcomed the move, saying action is vital to save jobs and preserve Britain’s strategic industry. With other G7 nations maintaining primary steelmaking capacity, union leaders have warned the UK risks falling behind if British Steel is allowed to shut down.
Pressure has also come from political figures across the spectrum. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited the Scunthorpe site this week and demanded urgent nationalisation to keep operations going. He called for immediate government action to secure supplies of raw materials needed for the furnaces.
As talks resume on Friday, many see Saturday’s parliamentary session as a turning point. A final decision on whether British Steel will be taken into public ownership could be just hours away, with the outcome likely to shape the UK’s industrial future for years to come.