Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“I welcome the speed at which Parliament has moved to this latest step. The powers are now in place and ministers can give British Steel and Scunthorpe’s steelworkers the certainty we have been demanding.
“The public interest test is met. Defence, national security, critical infrastructure and the economy are all written into the legislation. Britain's ability to make its own virgin steel in Scunthorpe is fundamental to every one of them.
“But nationalisation is not a plan. It is the starting point. The Government must now act, and my priorities for British Steel are clear.
“Sort out the energy market so British steel can compete.
“Get trade deals right. Britain's sovereignty and strategic interests are not bargaining chips. Scunthorpe steel must not become the next thing traded away in pursuit of a deal.
“Invest ambitiously in Scunthorpe to make more British steel. Protect the blast furnaces and Britain's sovereign ability to make virgin steel, but do not create a false choice between blast furnaces and green steel. Scunthorpe can access multiple steel markets through blast furnace production, electric arc and hydrogen-based production.
“Trust the steelworkers and the management. The people who work on this site know the plant, the processes and the opportunities. Any long-term plan must be built with them, not simply handed down to them.
“Parliament has acted. We’re here to work with anyone to get the best outcome for Scunthorpe. Now the Government needs to build.”
