Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with British Steel on the closure of the coking plant in Scunthorpe.

The previous Business Secretary had discussions with British Steel which covered the potential closure of the coking ovens, amongst broader matters. He urged British Steel not to make any irreversible decisions whilst negotiations were ongoing, but this was ultimately a commercial decision.

I am in regular contact with the company, unions and other partners, as are Government officials. The Government stands ready to support employees affected by British Steel’s decision, and we continue working with British Steel on a plan for a long-term, sustainable future.