Sir Keir Starmer has just given a statement from Downing Street following the announcement that the government is recalling parliament tomorrow to “protect” steelmaking.
The prime minister said he “will also act in the national interest to protect British jobs and British workers”.
“This afternoon, the future of British Steel hangs in the balance,” he said.
“Jobs, investment, growth. Our economic and national security are all on the line.”
Starmer went on to say that he knows “how important steel is not just to the region, but to the whole country”, adding that it is “part of our national security” and the heritage of Britain.
“It is essential for our future,” he declared, saying “we need more steel, not less, so we will act with urgency”.
The PM described the situation as “unique”, saying negotiations about the future of the Scunthorpe plant “have been running for years”, and “this moment could have happened at any time”.
“But it has happened now, and I will not stand by. There is no time to waste.”
He confirmed that his government is recalling parliament tomorrow (Saturday) to “pass emergency legislation in one day to give the business secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces”.
Starmer repeated that the government “will keep all options on the table”, declaring: “Our future is in our hands. This government will not sit back and just hope – we will act to secure Britain’s future with British steel, made in Britain in the national interest.”