Has the UK gone to war with China over British Steel | The Daily T

UK Government Takes Control of British Steel’s Scunthorpe Plant in Emergency Move to Save 3,000 Jobs

In a dramatic and unprecedented move, the UK government has effectively taken control of British Steel’s flagship Scunthorpe plant following an emergency session of Parliament held on Saturday. This urgent intervention comes amid mounting fears that the site’s closure would devastate the local economy and mark the end of over 160 years of steelmaking heritage in Scunthorpe.
The plant’s Chinese owners, Jingye Group, had reportedly been preparing to shut down operations, which would have resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs and inflicted severe damage on the UK’s already fragile steel industry. In response, Parliament passed emergency legislation appointing a new CEO to lead British Steel, who will now report directly to the UK government.

Ministers have emphasized that the top priority is to secure vital raw materials needed to keep the furnaces operational. Without immediate supply chain support, the risk remains that steel production could halt entirely, pushing the plant toward irreversible shutdown.
Rising Tensions Over Foreign Influence in UK Infrastructure

The crisis has reignited debate over foreign involvement in key UK infrastructure projects, particularly China’s role in strategic industries. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has openly accused the Chinese government of “deliberately sabotaging” British Steel, framing the situation as a wake-up call for the UK to rethink its reliance on overseas stakeholders in critical national sectors.
In a special political segment, broadcasters Kamal Ahmed and Tim Stanley pressed Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor of Lincolnshire, on her party’s stance. Jenkyns echoed growing concerns about China's influence, calling for a comprehensive review of foreign ownership in sectors essential to UK national security and economic stability.

“The people of Lincolnshire and beyond deserve to know that their industries, jobs, and national interests are not being compromised for short-term gains or foreign agendas,” Jenkyns said. “Reform UK will push for stricter safeguards and greater investment in British-owned enterprises.”
A Turning Point for the UK Steel Industry?
Industry experts say the government’s takeover of British Steel could signal a turning point in UK industrial policy, as the country seeks to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on volatile global markets.
The Scunthorpe site has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s steel production, supplying materials for infrastructure, construction, and defense. Its potential collapse would not only deal a severe blow to local communities but also weaken the UK’s self-sufficiency in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
With the government now stepping in, attention turns to the long-term future of the plant — and whether this move will be the first step in a broader effort to reindustrialize Britain.


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