Government backs South Yorkshire steel with new national strategy

Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has welcomed the Government’s new Steel Strategy, announced on Thursday 19th March. The landmark Strategy sets out the Government’s plan to make Britain a world-leading steelmaking nation once again, with new production targets and trade measures.

The Strategy takes bold action to protect domestic steelmaking for critical national infrastructure and defence. This includes a new ambition for up to 50% of steel used in Britain to be made in Britain, meaning that at least half of the steel used for British infrastructure, energy and defence projects has to be made here.

The Plan is backed by £2.5 billion of investment into the UK steel industry, on top of £500 million for Port Talbot, £420 million for Sheffield Forgemasters and the £50 million the Government are spending for Speciality Steels UK in Stocksbridge and Rotherham. The latter is paying wages and pensions for local steelworkers across the two sites, and to keep the steelworks open until a new buyer is found.

As part of the Strategy, South Yorkshire has also been selected to benefit from a special Defence Growth Deal; due to the incredible steel capabilities and skilled workforce locally.

The Strategy also stops the cheap and illegal dumping of foreign steel by introducing new import tariffs to protect British-made steel. From 1st July, the overall quota levels for steel imports from abroad will be reduced to 60% compared to current arrangements, and the introduction of a 50% tariff for any steel imports.

This robust new measure is a vital step towards protecting UK steel production in the face of global steel overcapacity and will apply to imported steel products where they can be made in the UK. Without action, the UK’s steelmaking capability faces real jeopardy, leaving us reliant on overseas suppliers for materials essential to our energy security, defence and transport infrastructure.

Welcoming the Steel Strategy, Marie Tidball MP said:

“This is a landmark moment for our steel industry. Steel made in our communities and across South Yorkshire once powered our nation. In a volatile world and in times of conflict, we need a secure, stable steel supply. This Strategy demonstrates the Government’s clear commitment to British steel produced in South Yorkshire, including in Stocksbridge.

“When Labour left office in 2010, Britain was producing 9 million tonnes of steel. When the Tories left office in 2024, that was halved to just 4 million. They didn’t invest, didn’t protect our steel sites, and thousands of jobs were put at risk. Instead, our new Steel Strategy will back domestic steel producers like ours in Stocksbridge and in Rotherham.

“I’ve been fighting for steel since day one and I know the world-leading potential our site has. At its peak, Stocksbridge produced 15% of global defence and aerospace steel. With this plan, the Government’s ambition and continued £50 million funding, I know Stocksbridge can reach it’s potential once again. The Steel Minister is optimistic that a responsible buyer will be found for Speciality Steels UK and, like me, wants to get our site restarted as soon as possible.

“People growing up in our communities have steel running through our veins. I’ll continue to fight for our jobs, our site and our steel communities. Steel built our past. Now, the government are taking action to ensure it will shape our future too.”

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“Making steel in the UK is vital for national security, critical infrastructure and the wider economy. Steel-making is a cornerstone of our modern industrial policy that deliberately focuses support for key industries, technologies, and strategically important sectors.

“With this strategy we are closing the decades-long chapter of destructive de-industrialisation and committing instead to strengthening and sustaining Britain as a steel-making nation.”

Roy Rickhuss CBE, Community Union General Secretary said:

“Since taking office in 2024, the Government has taken many decisive steps to support the steel industry and those who work within it. This Steel Strategy represents the culmination of these efforts.

“In particular, the urgent and necessary action taken to intervene in British Steel last spring and SSUK in the autumn has demonstrated the Government’s unyielding commitment to protecting the sector and the thousands of jobs it provides in communities across the country.

“The trade measures outlined in this Strategy represent a bold and significant step forward; strengthening our domestic industry and helping to ensure that local economies continue to benefit from a secure, resilient steel sector and the employment it provides.

“We commend the Department for Business and Trade for their work on this Strategy and look forward to continuing to engage with the Government to support the ongoing strength and success of UK-produced steel.”