Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Urgent Question on 16 October 2014, Official Report, column 445, on Tata Steel, when he plans to publish his Department's metals strategy.

The metals sector is expected to publish its strategy in Spring 2015.

We are supporting the metals sector, through the Metals Forum (an umbrella body bringing together the metals related trade associations) on the development of this strategy: this will bring metals into line with other important foundation sectors which have published strategies already. Foundation sectors are those such as metals, electronics and chemicals which underpin manufacturing.

The strategy will cover issues such as sustainability, supply chains, technology & innovation, skills and communication – which will all have an impact on the metals industry, including steel.