Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2020 to Question 30846, whether he is taking steps to mitigate the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the timetable for implementing the Clean Steel Fund.

The Coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation and every part of the Government is being mobilised to protect our public health. While civil service capabilities and resources are being redeployed accordingly, supporting industry onto a pathway consistent with net zero remains a key priority and work continues to ensure we meet our commitments.

Steel is a key industrial sector of strategic importance to the UK economy, and we remain committed to designing and delivering the £250 million Clean Steel Fund as planned. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop the scheme, ensuring that it meets their interests.